Judges in the Court of Appeal have ruled doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital can withdraw life support from Bedfont baby Charlie Gard.

Parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates, had urged appeal judges not to take away their 'only remaining hope' , in their long-running battle to take their son for treatment in the US.

Sadly, they have lost their fight in the Court of Appeal.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates, the parents of eight-month-old Charlie Gard, arrive at The Royal Courts of Justice

Following a hearing on Tuesday (May 23), three appeal judges analysed the case and delivered their verdict at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday (May 25) afternoon.

Appeal judges said evidence showed that nine-month-old Charlie would not benefit from a proposed therapy trial.

Lord Justice McFarlane praised Charlie's parents' composure and dignity and said: "My heart goes out to them."

The couple had planned to take Charlie who suffers from mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic condition, to a hospital in the US for a therapy trial called nucleoside.

But specialist doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where he is being cared for, disagreed, adding said therapy proposed was experimental and would not help.

They believe the little boy's brain damage is irreversible and instead of treatment he should be taken off life support and moved to end-of-life care.

Charlie Gard
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On April 11, the family were left devastated when a High Court judge ruled doctors could remove Charlie's life support, despite his parents opposition.

The case was heard in the Family Division of the High Court where both sides made their case.

Debra Powell QC, who represented the doctors at GOSH, argued due to the significant irreversible brain damage suffered by Charlie and mobility restrictions, life support should be withdrawn.

Barrister Sophia Roper, representing the parents, argued that Charlie should be given the chance to improve and the treatment would not cause him to suffer significant harm.

Charlie's parents believe their wishes should carry "great weight".

Charlie Gard court case

Both parents, who are in their 30s, launched a public fundraising appeal to raise £1.2m to cover the costs of doctors' bills and treatment in the US.

Ahead of the High Court hearing last month they had already reached their target and money keeps coming in.

In recent weeks two huge donations of £27,000 from an anonymous donor and £9,100 sent 'with love from Indonesia' have boosted the total to more than £1.3m.

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