'I wish my dad can make it': Boy begs Santa for the only thing on his list

"Please cure him. Thank you for your time," he writes, not knowing it's an impossible ask.

A Sydney mum has shared a heart-wrenching plea her son has made to Santa.

Carrie thought her little seven-year-old was writing his wishlist for the man in red. But when he handed it to her to send to the North Pole, she wasn't expecting to read his very personal plea.

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"Please cure my dad"

Carrie decided to share a photo of the letter to help others to remember what's important over the holidays - family.

It reads:

"Dear Santa, my name is Sam*.

"I love BMX and my mum.

"I wish my dad wasn't sick and can make it.

"I want a healthy dad for Christmas Day, that's all I want.

"Please cure my dad from emphysema.

"Thank you for your time."

The little boy's plea in his letter to Santa. Image: supplied

Carrie says there wasn't even a list of toys included with the letter.

"He wasn't even thinking of what he can unwrap. All he cares about is his dad."

She explains that her son's dad had been a heavy smoker for a decade, and the consequences caught up with him a year ago.

"My husband was told that he has emphysema, which would soon progress to the stage when he needs to walk around with an oxygen tank.

"We are not there yet, but it will be soon - and it's meant we've needed to be honest with Sam about his dad's condition - because he of course will have questions about why his dad needs extra oxygen.

"My husband was told it will be a 'long death, with a decreasing quality of life', which is just devastating.

"I don't know what else to do other than be truthful with him in a delicate way. But now I see I've also ruined his Christmas. It breaks my heart."

Carrie has said that it's very unlikely that Santa will be able to grant Sam his wish, but she's hoping her own gifts will be some comfort.

"I'm planning to get him a Play Station. He's never had one of those. I think it will be a good distraction - and he'll need that."

*Names changed for privacy.

Originally published as 'I wish my dad can make it': Boy begs Santa for the only thing on his list