HOW could heartless thieves steal more than £3,000 worth of Lego from this poorly child?
Seven-year-old Brandon Hall has Cystic Fibrosis, a disease which affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus.
He plays with the Lego in hospital to keep him occupied while he undergoes intravenous treatment.
And he said he is "gutted" that his collection of hundreds of models – amassed over three years – was stolen from a locked shed overnight on Saturday at his family home in Stanley Street, Grimsby.
Brandon, who attends Weelsby Academy, said: "Lego is my favourite toy and I was so upset when it was all taken.
"When I go into hospital, I play with it a lot. My dad and other relatives usually buy me a model every time I go in.
"I built up a big collection and just want it back."
The youngster visits Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital three times a year and is admitted for two weeks at a time.
Going into hospital is always a difficult time for the family and Lego is the one thing which reduces the stress of the situation for Brandon.
The stolen collection included planes, trains and rockets. Many of the models were already built and were taken without the boxes or instructions.
Dad Andrew, 39, said: "I drew back the curtains in Brandon's bedroom and noticed that the shed door was open.
"When I went to have a look, I saw that Brandon's collection, which has taken three years to get together, had gone.
"They had taken all of the Lego, and two bikes as well.
"My son's condition means that he is in hospital a few times a year for a couple of weeks at a time, and building the models up helps keep his mind off the treatment, so it really helps.
"There were models that cannot be replaced because they were limited edition or they are simply not made anymore.
"The person who took the models must have had transport because there were so many of them. I think they were stolen to order."
Brandon will next go into hospital on Thursday, December 27, and to start off his collection again, the Grimsby Telegraph has bought him a Lego set.
Mum Lisa said: "People in hospital and at the toy shop call him The Lego Boy.
"We have spent our last penny on some of those models to help with Brandon's treatment.
"We won't hold a grudge if someone has them; we just want them back."
There is a £150 reward on offer for information leading to the return of the collection.
A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "Thieves who enter properties with the intention of stealing personal possessions have no regard for the feelings of the owners, only their own selfish gain.
"If anyone has any information which will assist in locating the offender in this case or the stolen property, they are asked to contact Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number 1946379, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
