Zhang Liyong, a farmer from the Sichuan province in China, takes his critically ill daughter to her future grave everyday so she can get used to it. (Picture: Asia Wire)

A desperate father has dug a grave for his critically ill daughter and takes her there everyday so she can get used to it for when the time comes.

Gravely ill dog dumped on fly-tipping pile ‘because owners didn’t want to pay vet bill’

Zhang Liyong, a farmer from the Sichuan province in China, spent all his savings on treatment for his two-year-old daughter, who was born with a serious blood disorder.

But despite doctors efforts, her family have been told she won’t have a long life.

Her father has since been bringing the toddler, named Zhang Ixinlei, to play and rest at the grave to get her ‘familiarised with her future burial space’.

Zhang Xinlei was diagnosed with congenital Thalassemias when she was just two months old, and her mum and dad have been fighting to treat her ever since, spending £16,114 on medical care.

Mr Liyong, who works in a factory with his wife Deng Min, earns just £287 a month, and can’t afford to pay the mounting medical bills.

MORE: Police hunting teenager Natalie Putt who vanished 14 years ago begin exhuming graves

What is Thalassemia? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin.

People with the condition produce either no or little hemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

It mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Source: www.nhs.uk

Zhang Xinlei was diagnosed with congenital Thalassemias when she was just two months old (Picture: Asia Wire)

He said: ‘We borrowed money from many, but they are no longer willing to lend us more’.

Grieving mum told to tone down daughter’s grave as mourners complain it’s too bright

After doctors told them that their blood was not a match with young Xinlei, they decided to have a second child – due next month.

But even if their second baby’s blood could save Xinlei, the costs of such a transplant would be too much for them to afford.

So Mr Liyong decided to dig the grave on their farm in preparation to bury his little girl, and the desperate behaviour has since touched members of the public across the country.

Mr Liyong decided to dig the grave on their farm in preparation to bury his little girl (Picture: Asia Wire)

He added: ‘I could only come up with this idea – bringing her to play at this place. This is where she will rest in peace. All I can do is accompanying her every day.’

Expand

Mr Liyong hopes that Zhang will feel comfortable with the grave and won’t be scared when the moment comes.

According to reports, money is now being raised for Xinlei’s treatment, but only time will tell if the amount is enough for the surgery she needs.