RELATIVES and friends rallying behind a baby with cystic fibrosis are planning a Boxing Day dip to raise funds to help research into the hereditary disease.

Gemma Worthington, 23, and her partner Brett Carr, 27, were shocked to learn that their five-week-old baby George Carr had the life-threatening condition.

About 40 people will be taking part in the dip at Crimdon beach on the east Durham, coast at 10am on Boxing Day.

Miss Worthington of Thornley, near Peterlee, said George seemed healthy when he was born three weeks prematurely on November 8.

But health visitors noticed he was continuing to lose weight. Results of a routine heel prick test revealed George had cystic fibrosis.

Miss Worthington said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was told. No-one one in our family, on either side, has ever had it.

“My first thought was 'he is going to die'. I was in complete shock.”

She added: “The reason why he was losing weight was his pancreas was not releasing enzyme for him to digest the milk. It was passing straight through. He has being given enzymes to address the problem.”

Miss Worthington said, while George’s lungs were still clear, he will start producing a thicker mucus in his lungs which he will not be able to get rid of himself.

She said: “Doctors have told me his life expectancy, with the treatment available now, is 30 to 40 years.

“But with medical advances, such as gene therapy which is being trialled, the prospects could change in the longer term.”

Miss Worthington’s sister Faye, 21, who came up with the idea of the dip, said: “It will be for a really good cause and it would be brilliant if people would turn up. Just meet us there.”

Anyone wishing to take part can get a sponsorship form at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust website at www.cftrust.org.uk.

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