A YORK schoolboy who has a rare medical condition has been taken on a trip of a lifetime to meet Santa in Lapland.

Six-year-old William Rhodes, of Holgate, was flown to Lapland with the charity When You Wish Upon a Star, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

When he was there he met Father Christmas and gave him a letter, went on a husky sleigh ride and enjoyed sledging in the snow.

Acomb Primary School pupil William Rhodes has Diamond Blackfan Anaemia (DBA), a rare condition which means he has blood transfusions every three weeks and has daily medical treatment.

Caroline Rhodes, William's mum, said: "He had a great time. He came back and even though he was falling asleep he said it was fantastic and he said we should all go.

"It was definitely a special trip."

William and his dad Ben went on the one day trip with lots of other children and their relatives after they were told of the organisation by hospital staff in Leeds. Flying from Humberside airport to Finland, they met stars from a number of soaps and footballing pundit Chris Kamara.

This January, William will have had a total of 90 blood transfusions.

DBA is a rare condition which means he may become very seriously ill if he does not find a match for a bone marrow transplant before his teenage years.

His best chance would be if his parents had genetic screening and IVF to have a tissue-matched baby – which despite two attempts has not yet been successful.

The family was delighted to welcome a baby daughter Grace in April. Tests have confirmed she has not inherited the same condition, however Grace is not a match for William, so the couple will continue with IVF as soon as is possible.