PA Charlie Gardhas been at the centre of a lengthy legal battle to keep him alive

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Charlie, 10 months old, has been at the centre of a lengthy legal battle, with his parents arguing he should be given the chance to have experimental treatment in the US. The baby has a rare genetic disease and judges have ruled further treatment would “continue to cause Charlie significant harm”. His life support machine was due to be turned off on Friday, but the hospital is keeping him alive to allow his family to spend more time with him.

No one actually knows if it would help Charlie, but doctors treating my son believe he can get stronger Arthur Estopinian

Arthur Estopinian’s son, Arturito, now six, received the treatment Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, raised more than £1.3million for their son to have. Arthur and his wife Olga, 42, who flew from their home in Maryland, Baltimore, to support the couple have been in “constant contact” with the family throughout their battle. Last night Mr Estopinian said he was heartbroken Charlie was not given a chance to try the therapy that saved their own son’s life after he was “sent home to die” aged 18 months. Almost five years on, Arturito continues to improve on daily doses of the therapy.

PA Connie Yates and Chris Gard with their terminally ill 10-month-old son Charlie

Charlie’s family also has the support of Peter Smith, 43, from Thakeham, West Sussex, whose son, Maxwell, five, has “transformed” since he received the same treatment a year ago for a similar genetic disorder through a private prescription. Mr Estopinian, 51, said: “This medicine is being pioneered by a premier expert on these diseases. No one actually knows if it would help Charlie, but doctors treating my son believe he can get stronger. “As a parent I don’t understand why doctors in England would deny him this chance. Chris and Connie are unbelievable parents and should have the parental right to make this decision.