Wigan couple's gratitude to charity that provided vital equipment for their baby sons

Carter and Deacon Farnworth were born prematurely in September 2018 and have a host of health issues, including a muscle-wasting disease and breathing difficulties.

But thanks to the help of Newlife, a charity supporting disabled children, they were finally able to go home for the first time at 18 months old.

The charity provided the emergency loan of specialist cots so the tots could be safely discharged from hospital in March.

Parents Melissa Anderton and Dean Farnworth, from Leigh, said: “The specialist cots from Newlife have allowed us to be one as a family, we don’t know what we would have done without them. Carter and Deacon being able to come out of hospital meant so much, it saved our Christmas.”

Carter and Deacon have congenital myopathy, a disease which causes the muscles to weaken and go floppy, eventually wasting away.

The boys have chronic lung disease and breathing difficulties. Carter has a tracheostomy, where a tube is placed into his neck to help him breathe, and is ventilated 24/7, and Deacon also needs a ventilator 24/7.

Both are fed through tubes, have delayed development and need round-the-clock care to manage their posture and positioning as they cannot move themselves.

The twins also needed specialist P Pod chairs to be able to sit and be supported but also comfortable.

Their parents tried to prop them up on the sofa with pillows, but this did not support them enough for their respiration or posture. Without these seats they would have to sit in their rigid functional chairs, which they found uncomfortable, or in their specialist buggies.

So Newlife stepped in by providing a grant for P Pods, so they will have the equipment they need when the loan ends.

After receiving help from the charity, Melissa and Dean decided to speak out at the launch of its Big Give Christmas Challenge appeal.

Every donation made between December 1 and 8 will be match-funded by The Big Give, doubling the amount the charity receives.

They said: “The P Pod chairs have been a God-send. Now the twins can move around the house and be included and take part in things altogether as a family, we can all sit together and relax and spend quality time together knowing that Carter and Deacon are comfortable and happy.

“The Big Give campaign is such a great opportunity to help other children."

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