Mum-of-two Helen Barnes didn’t hesitate when she heard about an appeal to save baby Charlie Gard who is seriously ill with a rare genetic disease.
Charlie suffers from a condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome which causes the muscles rapidly weaken before the body goes into respiratory failure.
His parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard have set up an appeal to raise £1.2 million to take Charlie to America for pioneering treatment that could save his life.
They are in a race against time to save the youngster as doctors at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital say there is no accepted cure and it would be kinder to allow him to die.
The hospital have asked the High Court to sanction withdrawing his life support.
However Charlie’s parents want time to try the new treatment which is only available in America.
They are attempting to raise the money before Monday April 3 as Charlie’s case is set to be heard in the High Court on the date.
However Charlie’s parents want time to try the new treatment which is only available in America.
They set up a Go Fund Me page online to raise the money, and earlier this month, Helen donated £20,000, followed by another £20,000.
Helen, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, says her family are “not wealthy” and the donation was a “huge sacrifice.”
But she said the appeal had touched her heart and she wanted to help the family.
Helen made the donation anonymously but later her identity was revealed.
Helen decided to donate after watching Charlie’s parents talking about their dilemma on BBC 2’s Victoria Derbyshire show.
“I was moved to tears when I saw Connie and Chris being interviewed,” she said.
“It seems wrong that their child isn’t being given the chance of life when there is something that could help him.”
‘I am a spontaneous person and immediately it felt right to give them this money,” Helen explained.
"As a mother, you will do anything you can for your child and I just wanted to help them. So often we, as parents, are fobbed off by professionals saying we don’t know what we’re talking about."
"But a mother knows her child best and should be respected."
When Helen heard about the appeal, the generous mum made a donation of £20,000 and then doubled it with a further donation.
45-year-old Helen and her husband regularly make donations from their savings to causes that are close to their hearts, according to The Mail Online.
Helen’s husband was at work when she made the donation but she said he was “very happy” when he heard where the money was going.
Many celebrities in the fundraising campaign, including TOWIE star Sam Faiers who appealed on Instagram to her followers to support Charlie.
So far, the appeal has raised over £700,000 but need to reach their €1.2 million target in two days.
To make a donation, click here.
