Trump has given us hope, say parents of baby Charlie
THE parents of Charlie Gard have said they are in touch with the White House and that support from Donald Trump, the US President, and Pope Francis had given them hope.
Mr Trump tweeted an offer to help the 11-month-old terminally ill British baby earlier this week. He will raise the matter during talks with Theresa May, the Prime Minister, at the G20 Summit in Germany today.
Pope Francis called for Charlie’s parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, to be allowed to “accompany and treat their child until the end” and the Vatican’s paediatric hospital has offered to care for the boy.
Charlie, who is suffering from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, has been at the centre of a lengthy legal battle involving his parents, who want to take him to the US for experimental therapy, and doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
A family spokesman said: “The White House has been in talks with Charlie’s family, GOSH, the UK Government, the Department of Health and the American doctor who wants to treat Charlie. President Trump has a very good understanding of the whole case and he did not make an off-the-cuff tweet.”
Ms Yates told Sky News: “The support from the Pope and the president has given us hope. They understand why we believe it is right to continue fighting so hard to save Charlie.”