IT is hard to imagine what Kirsty Harris and Damian Hartley are going through.

Their son Carson was born three months premature.

When he arrived in this world he wasn't breathing.

Then at three weeks old he suffered a heart attack.

Kirsty and Damian were told a number of times that he may not make it through the night.

Yet he defied the odds time and time again.

But now the youngster is facing his biggest test: he must get through the winter without catching a cold.

This is to ensure his lungs develop enough for him to go through a life-saving operation in the spring.

With his will for life, the odds have to be on little Carson battling through.

His battling nature has amazed and inspired his family.

And thanks to his parents telling their story, he will now have the whole of East Lancashire willing him to pull through.

Kirsty and Damian should be commended for their bravery and remarkable positivity in the face of such trauma.

They have spoken out to highlight the work of Alder Hey Hospital and to help raise £1,000 to help the care of other poorly children.

Such a worthwhile cause deserves all our support.