Hucknall school helps raise cash for sick twin brothers

Hucknall brothers Freddie and Louie Dawkins are the only identical twins in the world with Batten Disease for which there is currently no cure.

Parents Sarah and Andrew, of Annesley Road, thought they would never have children after Andrew was forced to fight Leukaemia at just 19 and Sarah suffered endometriosis.

But their joy at becoming parents in 2005 was short-lived when at just two, the boys were diagnosed with autism and less than a year later realised their toddlers were having problems with their vision.

This led to further tests at London’s world famous Great Ormond Street Hospital and a devastating diagnosis of Batten Disease followed at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Since the brave parents launched a fundraising appeal in Dispatch, caring readers have rallied round to help the parents move towards their £20,000 fundraising goal to help fund vital research.

As part of their efforts pupils at the school helpd a variety of events, including a cake stall and throwing sponges at the teachers, to raise £200 for the family.

Batten Disease is a very rare genetic life-limiting neurodegenerative condition that affects 1:30,000 births. Children are born apparently healthy but soon show developmental problems, lose their sight, speech and mobility before dying between six months and 30 years.