Parents of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard have just two weeks to raise £800,000 for life-saving treatment
Charlie Gard's parents have been locked in a legal battle with British doctors who want to turn off his ventilator
A COUPLE whose baby son is dying from a rare genetic condition say they are "running out of time" to save his life and have just two weeks to raise another £800,000.
Charlie Gard's parents — who have been locked in a legal battle with British doctors who want to turn off his ventilator — hope to take him to the US for potentially life-saving treatment.
Now mum Connie Yates and dad Chris Gard say they have to reach a target of £1.2million by April 3 or the stricken tot will not survive.
Connie wrote on the GoFundMe page: "We are running out of precious time with our baby.
"He can't have this treatment in the UK so our only hope now is to get Charlie to America. This will obviously cost us a ridiculous amount of money.
"If we don't raise enough money then we wont be able to go to America for treatment and Charlie will die."
The couple say Charlie has already been accepted at a US hospital for a pioneering treatment called nucleoside bypass therapy, which was not offered by doctors here.
Great Ormond Street specialists say he should be allowed to die with dignity and applied to a court for permission to switch off his life-support machines.
Charlie was healthy when he was born last August but aged eight weeks went into hospital where his desperate parents have watched him "get weaker and weaker".
This Morning viewers were left in tears during an emotional interview with baby Charlie's parents Connie and Chris.
Last week they told of their relief after doctors lifted a "do not resuscitate" order that would have stopped medics from trying to revive him if his condition suddenly deteriorated.
Postman dad Chris, 32, said: "The decision came out of the blue and was later confirmed by his consultant.
"Connie and I were thrilled because it is such a positive step in the right direction. We are hoping it means doctors believe there is hope for Charlie."
Charlie's case is set to be heard at the High Court on April 3, when Connie and Chris must convince a judge there is a chance the treatment could save the tot's life.
At a previous hearing Mr Justice Francis said it was "one of the saddest types of cases that can come before these courts".
He added that Connie and Chris were "utterly devoted to Charlie and have worked hard to become expert parents in this disease."
What is mitochondrial depletion syndrome?
Mitochondrial depletion syndrome is a rare recessive disorder that disrupts the body's ability to provide energy to the body's muscles, kidneys and brain.
The condition sees muscles rapidly weaken before the body goes into respiratory failure.
The most common cause of death is pulmonary infection with only a few patients surviving to their late childhood and teens.
There are currently no cures for the condition.
Katie Gollop QC, for GOSH, said the treatment Charlie's family want has already been considered and not adopted by doctors at the hospital.
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