The parents of a baby boy, who died from a rare genetic condition at just six months old, have praised their ‘second family’ of staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.

Dhian Sankoli from Sidcup was given a life expectancy of just a few weeks when he was born in the QEH last October.

But, described as a little fighter by his dad Sandeep, Dhian defied the odds to survive for six months when a bout of bronchitis saw him back in the hospital with his parents by his side.

He passed away on May 1 due to difficulties with his breathing after an 8-week stay on the QEH’s children’s Safari ward.

Inspired by the work of medics at the QEH, Mr Sankoli and wife Sonia have far exceeded their fundraising expectations with an impressive £14,000 donated so far.

Mr Sankoli, 32, told News Shopper: “They were just amazing.

“Every single nurse, doctor, and backroom staff - everyone was just 100 per cent behind us.

“Me and my wife were pretty much living in the hospital for 8 weeks.

“We wanted to give something back to them because they did so much for us.”

The fundraising drive began when family members Dave and Saran Sathi took on the Tough Mudder challenge last month.

They plan to donate the money to the Safari ward to fund the refurbishment of a sensory room, which will provide comfort for children with visual and hearing impairments.

Initially they hoped to raise £1,000 for the hospital, but as the fundraiser took hold they quickly smashed their target and extended it to £2,500.

Now nearing the £15,000 mark, Mr Sankoli said: “We’re really going to do some good things.”

He described the fundraising as a source of comfort, which has allowed them to channel their grief into something positive.

As well as the room refurbishment, the couple plan use the funds over the next year to create a lasting legacy to Dhian whilst support other children and families in their position.

“It’s sad but it’s positive for other children who could do with all kinds of help,” Mr Sankoli added.

News Shopper:

Mr Sankoli described the treatment by the NHS as “absolutely first class”, saying the staff became “like an extension of their family”.

He said: “They were always asking about us. They weren’t just taking care of him, they were taking care of us.”

Whilst the couple spent their days by Dhian’s side, they saw first-hand the tough working life of many paediatric doctors and nurses.

“I’ve got nothing but good and positive things to say about them,” Mr Sankoli added.

Talking about when Dhian was born, Mr Sankoli said the couple knew from the start that he would spend much of his short life in hospital.

He said: “It is a rare genetic condition with a low life expectancy and the survival rate was quite low “We were told he probably wouldn’t survive more than a couple of weeks.

“He fought hard for six months.”

To visit the online fundraiser and donate, click here.