Raising money for Archie
Toddler has a fatal and incurable condition
A COUPLE whose toddler son has been diagnosed with a fatal and incurable condition are raising money to help fund research in hope of finding a cure.
Samantha Hurst and Wayne Armsden were left “shattered” after finding out their son Archie could die before he reached the age of 20.
When he was just one years old, Archie was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.
Doctors said the youngster, who is now two, will require a wheelchair by the age of 12 and there is currently no cure.
The Croft couple first took Archie to the doctors when he was six months old because he was unable to walk.
Samantha, 28, said: “It took lots of trips before somebody finally listened and recommended that Archie was seen by a paediatrician.
“The week before the appointment, Archie took his first steps and we were ecstatic. We finally stopped worrying something could be wrong and celebrated the achievement.
“The paediatrician said although his milestones were delayed, he was a happy, healthy little boy.
“Blood tests were arranged to check for an iron deficiency in case this caused the delay. That day we left the hospital with smiles from ear to ear.”
However, a week later the couple received a phone call delivering the heart-crushing news.
“Archie’s blood test was completed and the lab said he was seriously ill and we needed to get him to the hospital immediately.
“I finished work early and we grabbed what we could and rushed to the hospital in a daze, confused and worried.
“Tests were carried out for the next four days until Archie was eventually diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in August last year.
“We were told there was no treatment or cure and to take our little boy home and love him while we can.
“That day, our lives were shattered. We cried while we told our friends and family that we would certainly lose our boy to this awful condition, possibly before he reached his 20s. We were inconsolable.”
However, the couple refused to give up hope and launched a fundraising mission called Archie’s Army in January to fund vital research.
So far, they have raised £5,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and say new research is “promising”.
They have organised a number of events to add to their total.
The first is a 40-mile bike ride from Gilmorton pub The Crown Inn this Saturday from 9am.
Entry costs £20. To enter email the name of the participant and the event name to archiesarmy@ hotmail.com
All of their future events are listed on their Facebook page: Archie’s Army fighting MD
To donate visit cam-paign.justgiving.com/charity/muscular-dystro-phy/archiesarmy