Family's plea for 3-year-old boy suffering with incurable life-limiting illness

A mother whose son suffers with a serious illness is making a plea for help for people with the condition.

Lucy Bennett, from Lancing, is mum to three-year-old Lucas who has cystic fibrosis.

He recently spent weeks in the intensive care unit (ICU) in Brompton Hospital, London due to a serious flare-up.

Cystic fibrosis is a condition where the lungs and digestive system get clogged with thick mucus.

Lucas has to use breathing apparatus when in hospital (Image: GoFundMe)

This can cause serious issues with breathing and digestion and damages the lungs over time.

“There is currently no cure and Lucas will suffer for the rest of his life,” said Tracy Arrend, Lucy’s sister and Lucas’s aunt.

“A regular day in the life of Lucas sees him taking multiple kinds of medication, strict physio regimes and the use of many medical machines.”

Lucy is a single mother so had to spend much of her time in hospital with Lucas. She said the time in hospital has “taken its toll” both mentally and physically.

Tracy said: “Lucas continues to smile through the pain and everyone who meets him instantly falls in love with his character.

“He really is the epitome of bravery and strength and that comes from none other than his mum Lucy.

“Like many cystic fibrosis parents, Lucy was unaware of the disease until she had Lucas and has had to learn on the job ever since."

Being a parent of a child with the condition means Lucy’s full-time job is being Lucas’s carer.

Lucy's sister Tracy said 'time is precious' for Lucy and her son (Image: GoFundMe)

Today the average life span for people with cystic fibrosis who live to adulthood is about 44 years.

“Time is precious for the both of them and they deserve the best out of life,” said Tracy.

Lucy added that, in England, adults with cystic fibrosis are not exempt from prescription charges.

“It is just appalling,” she said.

Tracy has set up a fundraising page to help Lucas and his mum.

“We hope to be able to take Lucas and Lucy on the holiday they deserve. Any donation is greatly appreciated thank you for taking the time to read this.”

For those interested, you can donate to Lucas's fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Lucas-and-his-battle-with-Cystic-Fibrosis