Generosity of parents who gave away £22,000 raised for their seriously ill daughter to help little boy they've never met walk for first time

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Abigail Williams, 7, suffers from Batten Disease, a fatal genetic disorder
Her parents hoped money would pay for successful stem cell treatment
But doctors say any procedure would be futile as condition is incurable
So they have donated cash to Kyle Weaver, 3, for spinal operation in U.S.

Published: 06:37 EST, 6 March 2013 | Updated: 13:30 EST, 6 March 2013

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A kindhearted couple have given away £22,500 raised for their seriously ill daughter to help a sick child they've never met after being told the money would not find a cure for their little girl.

Kevin and Christine Williams hoped the cash would pay for successful stem cell treatment for seven-year-old Abigail, who suffers from a fatal genetic disease.

But they have been told her condition is incurable and paying thousands for any further procedures would be futile.

Overwhelming generosity: Christine Wililams (left) and her husband Kevin have given away £22,500 to help a boy to walk for the first time after being told the money wouldn't cure their daughter Abigail (right)

For a new lease of life: The Williams family have donated the money to three-year-old Kyle Weaver (pictured) who they have never met so he can have an operation to help him walk

So they have decided to donate the money meant to help toddler Kyle Weaver, three, walk for the first time.

Kevin said: 'It's not fair for us to have £22,500 sitting in a bank while hoping for a cure that may never come, while another little boy is sick and needs the money for an operation.

'So we hope Kyle's family can make good use of the money.'

Kevin and Christine launched 'Abigail's Fund' to raise cash for their little girl who has the rare Batten's disease which affects her mobility and senses and is often fatal by the late teens or twenties.

Nearly halfway there: Kyle (pictured his mother Samantha) needs £58,000 to have an operation in America

She underwent unsuccessful stem cell therapy in China and the family hoped she could have further treatment in America.

But the loving parents have decided to end Abigail's treatment and give cash from the fund to cerebral palsy sufferer Kyle.

Kevin, of Conwy, North Wales, said: 'She's just not well enough. Unfortunately, the last 12 months Abigail has got a lot more poorly.

'We still owe a large debt of gratitude to the public for what they did for Abigail.

'It's Kyle's money now. His needs are more imminent than Abigail's. Hopefully people who donated will understand.'

Kyle's parents Simon and Samantha Weaver, who live 10 miles away in Llysfaen, North Wales, said they were 'stunned' by the generous donation.

Pioneering: Kyle, pictured with (l-r) father Simon, sister Zoe and mother Samantha, needs an operation to re-attach his spinal cord to his legs

They are trying to raise £58,000 for little Kyle to have an operation in America to help him walk.

Simon, 36, said: 'We are shocked, astounded and amazed at the Williams' generosity. We can really get going with the surgery now.

'But we have mixed emotions. They have helped us and I wish we could help them, but there's nothing we can do.'

The donation to Kyle's Miracle Wish Fund means his operation at the St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri will now go ahead on May 21.

A team led by renowned surgeon Dr TS Park will cut Kyle's spinal cord and re-attach it to his legs to improve his mobility in a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy.

Simon said: 'The operation itself will cost £28,000 and the physio in America will cost £3,000 plus the cost of flights and hotels to stay there for five or six weeks.

'This huge donation will make a huge difference to us.'

BATTEN DISEASE: THE CRUEL, GENETIC CONDITION THAT CUTS LIVES SHORT

Batten disease is a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system that begins in childhood. In some cases, the early signs are subtle, taking the form of personality and behavior changes, slow learning, clumsiness, or stumbling.

Symptoms of Batten disease are linked to a buildup of substances called lipopigments in the body's tissues. Lipopigments are made up of fats and proteins. Because vision loss is often an early sign, Batten disease may be first suspected during an eye exam.

Often, an eye specialist or other physician may refer the child to a neurologist. Diagnostic tests for Batten disease include blood or urine tests, skin or tissue sampling, an electroencephalogram (EEG), electrical studies of the eyes, and brain scans.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?
Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. Eventually, children with Batten disease become blind, physically disabled and in some cases, intellectually impaired. Batten disease is often fatal by the late teens or twenties.

IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?
As yet, no specific treatment is known that can halt or reverse the symptoms of Batten disease. However, seizures can sometimes be reduced or controlled with anticonvulsant drugs, and other medical problems can be treated appropriately as they arise. Physical therapy and occupational therapy may help patients retain functioning as long as possible.