THE mum of a little boy who has cystic fibrosis is "immensely grateful" after parents who endured a double tragedy loaned them a special vest which will help her son to breathe.

Karen and Paul Ledsham used public donations to buy the vest, an airway clearance system, in memory of their daughter, Abigail who died shortly before her second birthday in 2008.

The vest was intended to help Abigail but after she died the couple went on to loan it to other children with similar conditions.

However, since the death of their son Harrison in May 2015 to bone cancer, they have not had the ‘energy’ to deal with the sadness it brings - until now.

The couple have given it to four-year-old Theo Wilkie who has dubbed the device his ‘superhero vest’, as it helps to reduce the mucus build up on his chest and makes him feel strong.

Sarah, 28, who works at Holyrood Nursery in Haydock, said: “This vest will make it easier for Theo to breathe, he already loves it and calls it his superhero vest because he feels better and stronger in it.

“It just means so much to us that Karen and Paul have done this for us, both myself and Theo’s dad Adam are immensely grateful for their kindness.

“Theo has been in and out of hospital in the past six months with his condition and as parents it is worrying because ‘what if’ is always at the back of your mind.

“This is such an amazing gesture after everything they have been through, I am overwhelmed and cannot thank them enough.”

Karen added: “We always intended the vest to help others like Abigail, like it helped her and have loaned it out to quite a few families.

“However, it has been stuck in the cupboard for quite a few years now since Harrisons diagnosis and death as we just haven't had the energy to be involved with it and the sadness it also brings, as the kids like Abigail often have limited lives.

“I saw a post Sarah put on Facebook about Theo having his chest physio and having to bribe him with Thomas the Tank Engine videos to get it done because he was so uncomfortable and after discussing it we just decided that we would loan it to her.

“This way it's at least getting used to make a difference to Theo, and Sarah was also one of the nursery workers who looked after Abigail and worked with Harrison as well.

“We like to think that they would both approve.”