Big-hearted company comes to aid of twin boys with rare condition

Two-year-olds Carter and Deacon Farnworth from Butts Bridge, Leigh were born with a rare condition called Centronuclear Myopathy.

The condition is characterised by muscle weakness and wasting in the skeletal muscles. These are the muscles used for movement.

This illness requires 24 hour care as both boys are on ventilators and have various other care needs.

As it is life limiting, the family are raising funds for some specialised equipment for their home which will make a huge difference to the boys lives.

The boys’ mum Melissa Anderton, 25, said: “When we found out we were having our boys we found out there were complications and once they were born both were on oxygen and tube fed up until four-months-old.

The boys with their older siblings

“That’s when we realised what care they would need to get them home instead of living at hospital as both are ventilated 24 hours a day, they regularly have to use suction machines, having feeding pumps and are limited mobility wise.

“We really just wanted, now they are both home, to get them equipment to make their lives easier and more mobile. One of the ways we wanted to do this was with electrical chairs so they can get around themselves, especially now they are getting bigger.

“The boys have carers that come into help and one of them has a partner who works at Paul Rogers & Sons Coal Merchants in Astley and we were shocked to learn that after she told them about Carter and Deacon, they decided to raise money for them.”

Owner of the company Paul Rogers, said: “We do a raffle every year around Christmas and this year wanted to raise much needed funds for these two little local boys so they can spend as much time at home as possible and feel comfortable.”

But to Mel and partner Dean Farnworth, the company’s generosity has just overwhelmed them.

Mum-of-four Mel explained: “For people outside of the family to want to do so much to help our boys is amazing, we are beyond grateful and just overwhelmed at the gesture really.

“It seems small, but that little bit of freedom for Carter and Deacon will mean the world to them and us. We can’t thank them enough”

The raffle raised more than £2,000 for the family and eight winners were selected from Paul Rogers Coal Merchants customer base. The first winning ticket was drawn by Paul’s grandson Thomas Rogers.