When Eddie Pearson fell ill, his parents thought he was suffering from everyday childhood bugs - and little Teddy despite being in and out of hospital is the most happy little boy.
The two children have rare genetic disorders. And their fighting spirit has won over a local performer to raise money to support the two adorable youngsters.
It was on their wedding anniversary last September, Amy Devlin and Bradley Pearson were given the devastating diagnosis, that Eddie, who is just one-years-old, has a rare genetic condition.
Eddie, who lives with his family in Little Lever has cystinosis, which forms crystals in many of the body’s organs.
The condition has left Eddie with a severely poor immune system, and the youngster is fed through a tube to help him get the nutrients he needs.
Eddie’s mum, Amy Devlin said: “It was our anniversary when we found out about the diagnosis, so what was supposed to be a happy day, was awful for us.
“We didn’t know what it was and initially thought it was something that would go away with antibiotics.
“It was a shock because there is no cure, and he is now on six different medications.
“Besides cystinosis Eddie is a happy, loveable cheeky little chap.”
Eddie struggled to put weight on at the beginning of the diagnosis in September last year and was fed through a tube for many months.
Now friend of the family, Jamie Mclaren is using his using his performing skills to raise money to help care for the two youngsters.
Teddy Walsh from Westhoughton is just 13-months-old and has a condition called GRIN2D.
This means Teddy has epilepsy, seizures, developmental delay, visual impairment, and feeding problems, resulting in him being fed by a tube.
Teddy had a seizure when he was born in January last year and spent 10 days in neo-natal care at Royal Bolton Hospital.
Following a severe seizure, the youngster was cared for at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in critical care unit for four months.
His mum, Michelle Walsh said: “He’s spent more time in hospital that he has out of it and it’s been emotional and upsetting.
“It’s been really difficult and we still have times where we find it hard because we have to watch him have seizures.
“Despite the difficulties Teddy has had to face, he remains to be a happy, resilient little boy. Myself and Rick are so incredibly proud of him.”
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Singer and songwriter Jamie has set up a crowd funding page to help raise money for the families to continue to care for the boys.
He said: “My wife and I were just thinking about what we could do because we’ve known the families all their lives and wanted to do something to help.
“We’re thinking of putting on a music event and we hope it will raise awareness too.”
To support the fundraising effort visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamiemclaren?
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