Parents in last ditch fight for Charlie
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds of donations have poured in for Charlie Procter after his parents’ heartbreaking fundraising appeal went viral.
Amber Schofield and Ben Procter, from Church, say their brave five-yearold son has just days to live after his rare form of cancer spread faster than expected to his liver and lungs.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise £855,580 for the youngster’s life-saving treatment in America, with more than £360,000 raised so far by 18,000 donors.
Celebrities including American singer Pink have also backed the appeal by pledging £5,000.
In a gut-wrenching Facebook post shared thousands of times on social media, devastated Amber and Ben say that they were told last month their son has “four to six weeks of life left”.
They had kept the devastating news about their son’s condition to themselves as they went on a family holiday.
During a trip to Greece, they went on a speed boat trip with ‘Captain Charlie’ and watched him splash around in a swimming pool. They made some amazing memories, but shortly before the holiday, their world had ‘ crumbled’ after a conversation with Charlie’s consultant.
The parents had already known this Christmas would likely be their boy’s last, but, within minutes, everything they thought came crashing down.
“How can a parent, who’s already planning the last few months of their child’s life, feel any worse?” Amber and Ben say in the post.
“By hearing the words.. ‘He has 4-6 weeks of life left’. That’s how.
“I’m crying my eyes out right now, I’m a mess. I’ve to sit and watch my baby in pain, screaming ‘when will it stop’, ‘ oh no not again’, ‘help me mummy’.
“I beg you with everything I have to donate if you can’t please share to not only your page but to every page you can!”
After donating £5,000 to the appeal, Pink posted on Instagram: “I just came across this beautiful child and I would like to help him. Please help to help him if you can.”
Charlie’s parents have thanked supporters on Facebook saying: “Pink has not only posted about Charlie but has also donated £5,000! Wow!
“We are overwhelmed by the help we are getting! You have all done amazing! A huge, huge thankyou to each and everyone of you.” To donate visit uk.gofundme.com/ CharliesChapter.