Mail and Villa team up for tot's family

Sep 19 2005 By Patrice John, Evening Mail

THE Birmingham family of severely premature baby Charlotte Wyatt were all smiles today thanks to the Evening Mail and their Aston Villa heroes.

Darren and Debbie Wyatt have fought for more than a year to lift a court order which bans doctors from treating Charlotte if she becomes too ill.

When the die-hard Villa fans told the Evening Mail how devoted they were to the club, we wasted no time in asking Villa to provide a gift.

The couple and their sons, two-year-old Daniel and David, aged ten months, were delighted with they received a signed shirt.

Debbie, aged 24, who was born in Chelmsley Wood but grew up in Castle Bromwich, said: "I think the boys will really like it. We are very thankful to Villa and the Evening Mail for the shirt as we have been Villa fans for ages and this will mean a lot to them.

"Darren goes to the matches as much as he can and when he can't make it, he'll always watch on TV. We really appreciate this."

Darren, who was born in Birmingham and whose father lives in Tamworth, added: "The boys will really treasure this. Thank-you."

Aston Villa's community service manager Dave Ismay said: "Our club tries to help people when they have had troubles and distress.

Whenever we are able to, we want to help. They are a Villa household and if this can bring a bit of sunshine to a family that have been through this much, it's great."

Darren, aged 33, and Debbie live in Portsmouth with Charlotte and their sons.

They want a judge to overturn an earlier ruling allowing doctors to withhold treatment from Charlotte if she becomes too unwell.

Charlotte weighed only 1lb and measured just five inches when she was born three months prematurely in October 2003. She has serious brain, lung and kidney damage.

Her parents claim Charlotte's condition has improved dramatically since the order was imposed last October.