On a chilly November day in Merseyside, the spirit of Christmas arrived early for one family facing the unimaginable. Ten-year-old Jacob Rimmer, a boy described by his mother as “giggly and cheeky,” received his final wish—to meet Santa Claus one last time—thanks to a groundswell of support from his local community. For Jacob, who has been battling a rare and severe metabolic disorder called non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), the visit was more than a holiday tradition; it was a precious memory forged in the face of heartbreak.
Jacob’s story is one of resilience, love, and the remarkable power of community action. Diagnosed with NKH as a newborn, Jacob’s life has never been easy. The disorder, which disrupts the body’s ability to process glycine, has led to a cascade of medical challenges, including gastrointestinal dystonia—a debilitating stomach condition caused by neurological impairment—along with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, as reported by BBC and ITV News. Over the past year, Jacob’s health deteriorated rapidly, and by late November 2025, doctors told his parents, Gemma and Kevin, that nothing more could be done for their son.
“We’re numb and heartbroken,” Gemma, 34, shared with BBC. “Jacob brought us so much joy.” The family, living in Sefton near Bootle, had planned to take Jacob and his two brothers—Joel, 12, and Joseph, 2—on a trip to visit Santa. But as Jacob’s condition worsened, it became clear he would not be able to make the journey. Not one to let despair win, Gemma took to local Facebook pages, posting a heartfelt plea for a Santa to visit their home in Netherton. Her message was simple: “My wish is for my boys to make as many memories as they can together, as time is precious as their middle brother is terminally ill.”
What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. “I was bombarded with messages from the community wanting to help,” Gemma recalled. Within hours, a visit from Santa was arranged, courtesy of Paula Blair at Kirkby’s Christmas Crusade and AC Mascots. The family’s living room became a winter wonderland, with Santa, Minnie, and Mickey Mouse all making appearances. “It was amazing, like I’ve never seen,” Gemma told ITV News. “Both the community and everyone has come together to support us as a family.”
The visit wasn’t just for Jacob—it was for his entire family. His brothers, Joel and Joseph, joined in the festivities, and for a brief, magical moment, the weight of illness and worry lifted. “It was amazing to be able to make and have our wish granted for our son to see Santa one last time,” Gemma said. “Thank you to Paula Blair at Kirkby’s Christmas Crusade and AC Mascots for coming and making such a hard time bearable.”
Jacob’s love for the Disney film Moana is well known among those who care for him. The hospice palliative care team, who Gemma describes as “incredible and guided us every step of the way,” arranged for someone to come and sing songs from the movie, bringing another layer of joy to Jacob’s final days. These gestures, though small in the grand scheme of things, mean the world to a family determined to make every moment count.
The family’s ordeal has been marked not only by sorrow but also by the comfort of community. As Gemma and Kevin prepare to move Jacob into Claire House Children’s Hospice, they’re buoyed by the outpouring of love and support. “It means so much to see how much Jacob meant to everyone, and how everyone cares for Jacob,” Gemma said, her gratitude palpable. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family during this difficult transition, a testament to the community’s ongoing commitment.
Jacob’s story has touched hearts far beyond Merseyside. Social media lit up with messages of support following Gemma’s appeal, and the family received offers of help from people they’d never met. The speed and scale of the response left Gemma reeling. “I didn’t expect it,” she admitted. “The reaction was massive.” The family’s Facebook post drew attention not just to Jacob’s wish, but also to the importance of cherishing time together, especially when that time is running short.
For Jacob’s brothers, the memories created during Santa’s visit will endure long after the holiday season fades. The family is steadfast in their commitment to making every day special, even as they grapple with the reality of Jacob’s prognosis. “We’re focusing on making precious memories together during this difficult time,” Gemma said, echoing a sentiment that resonates with families everywhere who have faced similar trials.
The medical challenges Jacob faces are daunting. Non-ketotic hyperglycinemia is an exceptionally rare disorder, and for Jacob, it has meant a lifetime of hospital visits, therapies, and uncertainty. The additional diagnoses of epilepsy and cerebral palsy have only compounded the difficulties. Despite these obstacles, Jacob’s spirit—and the spirit of those around him—has never wavered.
The palliative care team at the hospice has played a crucial role in supporting the Rimmer family. “They have been incredible and guided us every step of the way,” Gemma told BBC. Their expertise, compassion, and resourcefulness have allowed the family to focus on what matters most: each other.
As the Rimmers move forward, the community’s generosity continues to shine. The GoFundMe campaign, the visits from beloved characters, and the simple acts of kindness have provided comfort during a time of profound sadness. The family’s story has also served as a reminder of the power of collective action—a community rallying together to grant a final wish, to ease a burden, to show that no one faces hardship alone.
Jacob’s journey, though marked by struggle, has been filled with moments of laughter, love, and wonder. His family’s determination to celebrate his life, to surround him with joy even in the darkest of times, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. And as the holiday lights twinkle across Merseyside, the memory of one little boy’s final Christmas wish granted will linger—a beacon of hope, kindness, and the enduring magic of community.
