A CHARITY set up in the memory of a baby girl will continue to provide vital support to parents of poorly youngsters through the lockdown thanks to a National Lottery grant.

Lagan's Foundation has received £10,000 from the lottery's community fund at what is a desperate time for charities.

Lagan’s Foundation which cares for children with heart conditions was fast running out of money and struggling to buy PPE as money had stopped coming in from major fundraisers, which had to cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak .This included the annual cycle challenge, one of the charity’s biggest events.

The Horwich based foundation was established in memory of Lagan Katherine Anne Grant died in 2011 at just 15 weeks after being born with complex congenital heart defects.

It provides support for families whose child has a congenital heart defect and/ or struggles with feeding in their own home. Demand for its services means it helps families across the country.

But the National Lottery ward means home visits can continue to give “desperately tired parents a break”.

Founder Carren Bell, Lagan’s mother, said: “Around half of London charities have admitted they face closure in the next six months because of the Coronavirus.

“Covid-19 has hit all of us hard and the idea that we wouldn’t be able to visit children who are already desperately ill and susceptible to viruses, was unthinkable.

“No amount of individual generosity could have made the contribution the National Lottery has, and I thank each and every player. This life-supporting donation is where the money you spend goes. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

With its network of trained volunteer carers, Lagan’s Foundations offers support to children with complex needs including one who has chronic lung disease, a heart condition and an unsafe swallow, meaning that he is nil by mouth and has to be fed through a gastro tube.

As well as the National Lottery grant, the charity’s imaginative team has been coming up with new ways to fundraise from your home. These have included a running up and down stairs challenge, which stepped up their funds by £1,100.

Carren said: “Coronavirus has affected all aspects of life, but we didn’t want it to leave a legacy of destroying the charities that make such a difference to our communities. The country’s mantra has been, 'we will get through this.

"I can now say that of Lagan’s. We are looking forwards to an invigorated, bright future of caring.”