'Heartbreaking' and 'worst nightmare' are words that are thrown into conversation – we use them to add impact.
However, today's story about Harmonie-Rose Allen needs no exaggeration – because it is 'heartbreaking' and her battle with meningitis IS every parent's worst nightmare.
Today Harmonie-Rose is in hospital fighting for her life and her parents, family and friends are facing a future where, apart from praying for continued improvements in her health, they have to raise £40,000 to provide her with artificial arms and legs.
As a mark of their fundraising campaign beautiful pink ribbons are appearing all over Foxhill to support a little fighter who has not even reached her first birthday.
Parents Freya Hall and Ross Allen say they have gained strength from a campaign to raise awareness of Harmonie-Rose's condition. They've taken strength from knowing pink ribbons, tied on front doors across Foxhill, mean people are thinking of and praying for her.
Harmonie-Rose's aunt Hannah is bravely speaking for the family and explained that at the start of her illness Harmonie-Rose was given a ten per cent chance of survival. As the days have passed that hope has increased but so has the realisation there is still a very long way to go.
Hannah has been selling pink bows, made by a neighbour, to raise awareness of her condition and to raise money for prosthetic arms and legs.
She has already sold 122 bows and has ordered another 300. We would love thousands to be sold. Let's cover the city with them.
We have put one on the masthead of the Bath Chronicle as a sign of our support.
Both families have been inspirational with Freya and Ross's siblings all playing their part. We are inspired and in awe of their response to this devastating blow.
@LynneFernquest
