Elliott Furse from Cornwall on This Morning with Legoland Christmas lights

Elliott Furse, from Gulval near Penzance, was featured on This Morning being given an exclusive tour of the toy-based theme park with presenter Alison Hammond, before moving on to a live interview with the Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby via Skype.

In addition to switching on the lights, the nine-year-old was given £1,000 worth of Lego for this year's Elliott's Christmas Toy Appeal, which has been run for a number of years in aid of disadvantaged children locally.

Elliott with just some of the toys donated by Legoland Picture: Samantha Brownfield-Furse

Elliott started his annual Christmas appeal, to donate bags of toys to young patients, two years ago before his visits to hospital even began.

He came up with the idea himself while he was making his list for Santa and said he wanted to help others instead of receiving the latest toys.

Elliott has since undergone two major operations on a brain tumour since he collapsed in his bedroom, and underwent five rounds of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, initially losing control of his arms, legs and speech.

Elliott tries out one of the Legoland go-karts Picture: Samantha Brownfield-Furse

But as soon as he was starting to talk again he immediately began planning his latest Christmas appeal, and is not stopping this year.

In recognition of his selflessness he was invited to a dream trip to Windsor Legoland and then to appear on This Morning - having initially thought he was going for a hospital trip before the surprise was revealed. 

His mum Sam said afterwards: "Elliott has had the best time. He was a total gem.

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond does a piece to camera Picture: Samantha Brownfield-Furse

"I cannot thank This Morning enough for this."

Sam said he "charmed the crew with his humour" throughout the day, adding: "He’s a total natural in front of the camera. Me on the other hand... I did however have the best time on one ride; without realising it was being filmed. Elliott commented I screamed like a baby!"

In addition to the trip around the park Elliott and his mum were gifted a night in the Legoland hotel, with the company also giving Elliott some toys of his own to take home.

Sam added: "He's always just thinking what other people might need and how he can help them. 

"He's always trying to think of others before himself, which is a really lovely quality."

The crew from This Morning filmed Elliott at Legoland Picture: Samantha Brownfield-Furse

Now thankfully cancer free, with MRI scans every fourth months to keep on top of things, Elliott has even bigger plans, in what is described as his "dream project." 

He hopes to buy a caravan next year that can be converted into somewhere that other children with cancer can stay on holiday in Cornwall, as respite, either during their treatment or afterwards. 

In the meantime you can donate to his 2021 toy appeal here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/elliott-christmas-appeal-2021

 

Elliott at Legoland where he switched on the Christmas lights Picture: Samantha Brownfield-Furse