A mother who lost her toddler to a rare 'brain-shrinking' illness, will keep his memory by helping other children.

Amie Finch, from Uxbridge , will keep the memory of her much-loved son, Oliver Joyce, alive by marking what would be his fourth birthday.

Oliver Joyce died aged three, on April 23, surrounded by his family. He was born with Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), a life-limiting illness that causes the degeneration of neurons in parts of the brain and usually affects adults.

At eight-months-old, he became the only child in England to be diagnosed with the degenerative disorder, which has no known cure.

Oliver's mother is asking for donations of shoe boxes filled with toys, books or games for children, to donate to the Peter Pan and Wendy ward at Hillingdon Hospital , that nursed her son.

Ms Finch, who works at a carer at an old people's home, said: “Peter Pan Ward was where Oliver spent half of his life and I know how uncomfortable it can be for some parents there and how difficult it is to entertain children sometimes.

“Really the idea is to ease it a little bit for them and keep the memory of Oliver going and also to raise awareness of the disabled children in Hillingdon as I don't feel there's enough support for families in the area.

“Eventually I'd like to create a registered charity so I'm keeping [Oliver's memory] alive whilst I'm trying to do that.”

Oliver's birthday, November 8, will also be marked poignantly by releasing yellow and blue balloons at 2pm outside the children’s ward.

Ms Finch said: “We did it for the funeral and we did it at the time that we turned off Oliver's oxygen.

“My philosophy has been to find the positive all along. Oliver lived so happily and positively so I feel as a family, we need to do the same.”

A Hillingdon Hospital spokesperson said: "We are extremely grateful to Oliver's mother for providing gifts for children in our wards.

"We always welcome donations and are happy that we can help to ensure that Oliver's memory lives on through his mother's generosity."

If you would like to donate a shoe box, visit the Oliver Joyce Facebook page .