A TEENAGER who celebrated his 13th birthday in lockdown has raised hundreds of pounds for the Oxford hospital that treats his rare kidney condition.

Zac Philips, from Harwell, has Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD).

The inherited childhood condition means the development of the kidneys and liver is abnormal. Over time, either one of these organs may fail.

The condition often causes serious problems soon after birth, although less severe cases may not become obvious until a child is older.

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Zac, who lives in Harwell with his mum Aileen, dad Darren and older sister Emily Jane, 16, was diagnosed with the extremely rare liver and kidney disease when he was a baby and now receives treatment at Oxford Children’s Hospital, going in every few months for a blood check to monitor the condition.

He has been self-isolating with his family for almost eight weeks, but rather than gifts to brighten his birthday during lockdown last month, Zac asked for donations to Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The 13-year-old said: “The staff at the hospital are incredible and have always helped look after me.”

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He added: “I know it’s a difficult time for everyone working in hospital and within the community, but I wanted to give something back and thank them for looking after me for all these years.”

His mother said she was touched by the ‘sweet’ gesture, adding: “The only thing he was worried about was if people would be able to afford to do it.”

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She said Zac was ‘ecstatic’ when the total kept rising, with hundreds raised in the first 24 hours and a total of £616 ultimately donated to Oxford Hospitals Charity.

Despite not being able to see other relatives and friends, the family still celebrated Zac’s birthday over the Easter weekend with a barbecue and bunting in the garden, as well as a birthday cake.

Mrs Philips added that her son was not the only family member ‘chipping in’ during the crisis, with her and her husband’s manufacturing company in Milton Park turning to ventilator production.

She said: “We’re not able to be there but the factory, which usual supplies Formula One, is now making parts for ventilators.”

Joe Baker, from Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are always inspired and amazed at the creative and innovative ways that our supporters are thanking our local hospitals, it really makes a huge difference to the hardworking NHS staff. We would like to say a great big thank you (and happy birthday) to Zac, for such a kind and selfless show of support.”

Zac is one of hundreds of people helping support Oxfordshire’s hospital staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Stonesfield Football Club is running the length of Britain twice to raise money for the NHS, so far raising more than £1,000.

A group of 21 Oxford medical students are also cycling 7,200km for the NHS.

The students have set themselves the challenge of cycling 100km for each of the 72 years that the NHS has been around.

Bicester five-year-old Alice Bullivant, meanwhile, set up her own cupcake business to support frontline staff.

Whether it was a run, walk or even hop, people across Oxfordshire also followed in Captain Tom Moore’s footsteps to raise money for the county’s hospitals last month.

The day of fundraising took place on April 19, which would have been the the London Marathon, which each year raises more than £20,000 for Oxfordshire’s hospitals.

To donate visit hospitalcharity.co.uk.