THE star of TV hit Downton Abbey and blockbuster Paddington has narrated a charity appeal telling the story of a Hampshire girl who tragically lost her life at the aged of just two.

Hugh Bonneville narrates the Naomi House and jacksplace Hospice film about Lacey Leggett, who died last year from a rare medical condition.

Lacey had an extremely rare condition called mitochondrial TK2 cell depletion, which her parents Lisa and Dominic did not discover until she was six months old.

She spent her first birthday, Christmas and New Year in hospital and she eventually lost the ability to move, talk and eat.

The illness is extremely hard to spot and it took months for doctors to diagnose it.

She was then supported for the rest of her life by Naomi House, based in Sutton Scotney near Winchester, which also helped her parents after she died on Valentines Day 2014.

Daily Echo:

Bonneville, who has starred as Lord Grantham throughout the course of Downton Abbey and recently appeared in hit film Paddington, was approached by the charity to narrate a story about her life that also features her family after it helped a friend of his.

The film has been released on video website YouTube to coincide with Children's Hospice Week, which will run until Sunday (May 17).

Naomi House and Jacksplace's marketing manager, Keith Wilson, said: “Lisa and Dominic’s courage has enabled us to really show people what Naomi House is all about, and to give people an insight into why our service makes such an enormous difference to families with life-limited and life-threatened children.

"We are indebted to them for sharing Lacey’s moving story and giving many thousands of people a better understanding of our transformational work. We must also thank Hugh Bonneville for the wonderful support he has shown our hospices and the assistance he offered in creating this very special film.”

Bonneville said: "Naomi House had helped a friend of mine in their time of need and so I was familiar with the tremendous work they do. No parent could fail to be touched by Lacey's story, by the resilience of Lisa and Dominic and by the care and love afforded this and every family with whom the staff at Naomi House interact.

"Me giving up an hour of my time to help with the film is as nothing to the dedication of the people who make Naomi House such a remarkable place; I hope others will support in whatever way they can.”

You can view the video by logging on to www.dailyecho.co.uk.