Tot moved our nation

THE tragic story of Charlie Gard touched a nation.

It was all the more poignant because there was never going to be a happy ending.

At its heart was the love for a small, terminally-ill child.

There was the desperate attempt by his parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard to find a treatment that could prolong his life.

They were two people acting with the instinctive love of any parent in their heartrending desire to keep their baby son alive.

And then there were the doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital who wanted the child in their care to be able to die with dignity. All wanted the best for Charlie. All did what they thought was right. In the end, no amount of love and care could save the severely brain-damaged baby who never got to see his first birthday.

Our thoughts are with parents Connie and Chris as they grieve for their precious son.

And our thoughts are with the small boy whose plight captured the country’s heart.