Charlie Gard clutches patron saint of ‘lost causes’ charm – as GoFundMe donations pour in despite judge ruling his life support can be turned off
Donors questioned Mr Justice Francis' decision with one saying she was "simply speechless"
A HEARTBREAKING image of Charlie Gard clutching the patron saint of "lost causes" charm has been released by his parents as GoFundMe donations continue to flood in.
Devastated Chris Gard and Connie Yates, of Bedfont, west London, broke down as they lost their battle to keep the eight-month-old, who has a rare genetic condition, alive but the couple have vowed to keep fighting.
Mr Justice Francis ruled that life-support treatment should stop after analysing the evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
Doctors in the US had offered to try a procedure called nucleoside bypass therapy, which hasn't yet reached the experimental stage with mice for Charlie's disease but has been used on patients with a similar condition.
The couple posted a recent picture of Charlie holding a medallion of St Jude as his arm rests on a poem about a guardian angel.
They captioned the image: "No words...just devastation".
Who is St Jude?
St. Jude is the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes and one of Jesus’ original twelve Apostles.
This stems from the belief that because his name was so similar to Judas, who betrayed Jesus, Judas was eager to assist anyone who sought his help, to the point of intervening in the most dire of situations.
Despite the ruling yesterday, people have continued to give money to an appeal launched by Charlie's parents on .
Money raised from the page will go towards covering doctor's bills in the US and so far more then £1.2m has been raised with more than £2,000 raised in the seven hours after the ruling.
Donors questioned Mr Justice Francis, with one saying she was "simply speechless".
A GoFundMe spokesman said officials would have discussions with Charlie's parents about what would happen to the money raised for treatment.
More than 80,000 pledged cash, including celebrities such as Charlotte Crosby and Katie Price.
The couple said after the ruling they were "profoundly grateful" for the "phenomenal kindness of countless people" who helped to raise the money for Charlie.
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Chris and Connie said they were "devastated" by the decision and were struggling to understand why the judge didn't give him the "chance of treatment" - but said they would appeal.
But medics at Great Ormond Street Hospital had argued it was time to stop providing treatment for little Charlie and move him onto a palliative care routine. Lawyers for the world famous hospital said treatment would continue until appeal decisions had been made.
One specialist claimed it was not “tolerable” to leave Charlie as he is and he found it hard to see how he could benefit from any treatment.
The judge said experts agreed it could not reverse Charlie's brain damage, and that experimentation might benefit medical science but could not benefit the youngster.
He added: "It is with the heaviest of hearts, but with complete conviction for Charlie’s best interests, that I find it is in Charlie’s best interests that I accede to these applications and rule that GOSH may lawfully withdraw all treatment save for palliative care to permit Charlie to die with dignity."
Chris, who had tucked his dying son's toy monkey into the top pocket of his grey suit, cried "no" and covered his face with his hands as he heard the judge's decision.
Mr Justice Francis continued: "Most importantly of all, I want to thank Charlie's parents for their brave and dignified campaign on his behalf, but more than anything to pay tribute to their absolute dedication to their wonderful boy, from the day that he was born."
Speaking after they were dealt the devastating blow, the parent's lawyer Laura Hobey-Hamsher said: "Connie and Chris are facing every parents worse nightmare.
"They are struggling to understand why the court has not at least given Charlie the chance of treatment in America."
The couple are now planning to appeal the decision.
Slamming specialists at GOSH who gave evidence, Ms Hobey-Hamsher continued: "It is regrettable and inexplicable that much of the reasoning for their decisions only came to light after proceedings had been issued.
"It is too simplistic to say that had matters been handled better, Charlie would be well, but undoubtedly, it did not assist."
A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust said: “We cannot imagine how hugely distressing this time must be for Charlie’s family who have been completely devoted to him since he came to our intensive care unit six months ago.
“The majority of the children we care for have rare or complex diseases. We work extremely hard to offer innovative treatments, even if it is the first time they have been tried, when we believe they can benefit the child.
“In Charlie’s case we carefully considered the request for a therapy that had not been used to treat his condition. This included seeking multiple external opinions as to whether this therapy could improve Charlie’s chance of survival or quality of life.
"The consensus, which has been confirmed by today’s ruling, was that it would not.
“Our focus now is to work with Charlie’s family to plan for the next stages in Charlie’s care.”
Charlie born on August 4 last year has a form of mitochondrial disease, which causes progressive muscle weakness.
His mum spends 18 hours a day with the tot and would not accept he was in pain - instead insisting "he enjoys tickles".
Charlie was doing well for six weeks after his birth before his health quickly deteriorated
"We won't give up on you because you have a rare disease, it's not your fault, you shouldn't have to die, I'm sorry this has happened to you, I wish I could take your place!! We love you!
The care worker had also tragically explained how their "fate boiled down to one person and one day" ahead of the ruling today.
Doctors last week told Mr Justice Francis that Charlie, who was born on August 4, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.
A Great Ormond Street (GOSH) children's intensive care specialist previously told the judge Charlie is no longer responsive, and it was hard to be sure whether the little boy was in pain.
But his mum had denied these claims in her message, but did say that while he doesn't have a "good quality of life... he needs this chance to improve".
She added: "He's not suffering or I wouldn't be standing here now... please trust us as parents, we won't let him suffer."
Connie had pleaded directly with the judge in court while postman Chris clutched their little boy's cuddly toy monkey.
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.
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