#LetCharlieGoHome: People around the world react as Charlie Gard's life support to be switched off
Many have expressed their shock and sorrow after the parents of Charlie Gard learned their son's life support is to be switched off.
Chris Gard and Connie Yates wanted the 10 month-old, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, to be allowed to die at home.
But they claimed that Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) - whose medics had argued that a therapy trial in the US was experimental and would not help - denied them this request.
Charlie's parents wrote: "We are utterly heartbroken spending our last precious hours with our baby boy.
"We're not allowed to choose if our son lives and we're not allowed to choose when or where Charlie dies. We, and most importantly Charlie, have been massively let down throughout this whole process."
Many people from around the world have expressed their sympathy:
@GreatOrmondSt If you wont allow him to live at least allow him the dignity to die at home where he belongs #CharlieGard#LetCharlieGoHome
— Laura Ashley (@lauraashleymake) June 29, 2017
Please keep praying and sharing: @GreatOrmondSt are denying Charlie's parents the chance to bring Charlie home to die. #LetCharlieGoHome
— Maria (@MariaNicC1) June 29, 2017
What on earth is going on? Let this poor family spend their last hours together at home in private! #LetCharliegohome#GOSH#GreatOrmondst
— Carrie (@carriedonn) June 29, 2017
#GOSH you wont give him a chance to live so let him die at home with dignity in his own cot #LetCharlieGoHome#CharlieGard
— LadySamantha Wilding (@swildthing1) June 29, 2017
Seems pretty heartless to deny Charlie Gard's parents the chance to take him home. GOSH handling this appallingly. #letcharliegohome
— Andrew Willmer (@andy_willmer) June 29, 2017
My heart breaks for Charlie gards family #charliesfight#CharliesArmy#CharlieGard ����
— Caroline (@missskinnylatte) June 30, 2017
Whatever your thoughts on this, it's a desperately sad story with a heartbreaking end. My heart goes out to them #CharlieGardhttps://t.co/XTNcTC4Gsq
— Liz Bachelor (@Lizadorauk) June 30, 2017
No matter what we do today we must spare a thought for little charlie Gard & his heartbroken parents
— i mac (@Ianmac5Ian) June 30, 2017
A child's life in whose hands? Parents or the State? Unforgivable. Let Charlie Gard's mum and dad decide what is best for him.
— Kamini Paul (@KaminiPaul) June 27, 2017
Our thoughts, prayers & love to #CharlieGard and his amazing parents. ������Blue Hearts Forever #CharliesArmy ������ pic.twitter.com/wJYLgpfJP8
— Reggie N Bollie (@ReggieNBollie) June 30, 2017
GOSH responded to claims by Charlie's parents that the hospital said no to the baby dying in a hospice and refused their offer to arrange private transport to their home.
A spokeswoman said: "As with all of our patients, we are not able to and nor will we discuss these specific details of care.
"This is a very distressing situation for Charlie's parents and all the staff involved and our focus remains with them."
Charlie's plight has touched many people and the family received donations totalling more than £1.3 million to take him to the US for therapy.
Campaigners also pledged their support to the family on social media with hashtags including #charliesfight #Fight4Charlie and #LetCharlieGoHome.