Charlie’s parents to use £1.3m for foundation
CHARLIE GARD’S parents say they will use £1.3m donated by well-wishers to set up a Charlie Gard Foundation to help other children with rare diseases.
Chris Gard and Connie Yates have announced their decision on a fundraising website following their baby son’s death.
The couple had appealed for cash to send Charlie for treatment in the US on a GoFundMe page more than six months ago.
More than 84,000 people have donated money.
“Our beautiful Charlie has been blessed with hundreds of thousands of supporters from around the world.
“We are so incredibly grateful for all your continued love and support, and would like to take this opportunity to advise you of what we shall be doing with the money raised for Charlie’s cause,” said the couple in a statement posted on a GoFundMe page.
“In the following weeks we will be setting up The Charlie Gard Foundation: A foundation that will help other children with mitochondrial diseases, and rare childhood illnesses.
“Too many children are losing their fight against rare medical conditions, which emphasises the need for more research, and we hope we can help deliver this through Charlie’s foundation.
“We also intend on becoming a hub of information for parents that may find themselves in a situation like ours.”