Charlie Gard's heartbroken parents plan charity in memory of beloved son

Chris Gard and Connie Yates will use the money raised for Charlie to help other families in similar situations
EPA
Tom Powell30 July 2017

The grieving parents of Charlie Gard are planning to set up a charity in his name in order to “fill the void” left by his death.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates raised £1.35 million in donations to pay for experimental treatment in the US and an air ambulance to take their son there.

But he died on Friday evening after they called time on their lengthy battle to take Charlie to the US, agreeing the treatment no longer had a chance of success.

They have confirmed they want to use the money raised to help other parents whose children have similar conditions to the rare genetic disorder which Charlie had.

The parents wanted to take Charlie Gard home to spend their final moments with the terminally ill baby
PA

A family friend told the Sun that Ms Yates would head the future charity while Mr Gard would return to work as a postman.

They said: “Charlie’s passing will leave a huge void in their lives. They have been consumed by this for almost a year and have had very little time to think of anything else.

“Now Charlie has gone they are going to struggle to find some purpose in their lives. Everyone thinks that setting up the Charlie Gard Foundation will be fantastic for Connie.

“It will give her something to focus on and help to create a legacy for Charlie and mean that he didn’t die in vain.”

It comes as it was claimed the parents were left distraught after not having enough time to spend with Charlie after the decision to turn off his life support was taken.

The legal battle surrounding Charlie drew international attention 
Reuters

They reportedly felt unable to say a “proper goodbye” as Charlie died just a week short of his first birthday. By the time of his death, doctors believed he could no longer see, hear, breathe or move due to his condition.

His parents had wanted to take him back to their home in Bedfont, west London, for his final days but experts would not let him leave intensive care.

Instead, Charlie was transferred to a hospice where High Court judge Mr Justice Francis ruled doctors could stop providing treatment.

The legal battle between his parents and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) over his care had attracted worldwide attention for months.

Pope Francis, Prime Minister Theresa May and US vice president Mike Pence were among those to pay tribute to the youngster after his death was confirmed.

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