AN ARMY of charity fundraisers who worked tirelessly to help a local toddler overcome a mystery breathing disorder are mourning his sudden death.

Five-year-old Daniel Carrie's illness meant he had to be connected to a ventilator 24-hours-a-day from just 18 months old. He lost his brave battle for life yesterday (Wednesday, March 27).

Fundraiser Mrs Pat Blake, who rallied a team dedicated to improving Daniel's quality of life, told the Citizen: "We are all absolutely shattered by the news - Daniel's parents are heartbroken after everything they've been through."

Tragic Daniel's mum and dad, Linda and Alex, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, learned the sad new from doctors at Queen's Park Hospital.

The popular youngster received round-the-clock care from a committed team of six specially trained nurses at the hospital.

But he returned home nearly every afternoon to play with his brothers and sisters, Kristian, Kasey, Karl and Ashley - and his family never stopped hoping that he would be able to return home for good.

Mrs Blake, one of Carrie family's former neighbours in Ivinson Road, Darwen, spoke of the little boy's joy at his fifth birthday 11 days ago.

She said: "Daniel was doing so well. At his birthday party he was sitting up playing, laughing and eating jelly like any typical toddler."

Daniel's breathing problems baffled doctors at Pendlebury Children's Hospital where he was initially treated.

His parents feared he would die when no cure could be found. At one stage he was placed in a controlled coma while his tiny body fought a chest infection which could have proved fatal.

Family and friends launched the Help Daniel Breathe fund to buy and adapt a £35,000 portable ventilator to give him more independence.

The Carries also moved into a specially modified council house to be nearer to their son in hospital.

They have yet to decide where money raised will go. But Mrs Blake pledged: "I've no doubt local charities will benefit and it shows that Daniel's life was not in vain."

A post mortem is due to be held.

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