A FATHER whose bone marrow saved his children's lives when they were born with a genetic disorder will play at a gig to raise funds for a charity which helps other sufferers.

Michael Scullion, 52, and wife Lorraine were horrified to find their children were born with the life threatening Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID).

It left both Andrew, now 26, and Caitlin Scullion, 19, without defence against disease or infection.

They survived for three months as they had inherited traces of their mother’s immune system.

However, once this dropped away they needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. 

Mr Scullion, of Sherburn Village, near Durham, said: “They took my bone marrow and transplanted it. You hope from that point that it grows successfully.

“Andrew was in hospital for ten months as a baby. At one point his chances of survival were less than 25 per cent.

“They checked Caitlin as soon as she was born. Again I donated bone marrow and she was in hospital for six months.

“They have both gone on to have normal lives, but they have annual check-ups.

“It was heartbreaking and it was a huge shock. We knew there was something wrong but we were not prepared for what the doctor told us.”

Caitlin is now a trainee vet nurse and Andrew works for NHS business services.

Their father, a City Link sales manager, is to perform with his band Four Letter Word at a concert, in Shildon, to raise funds for The Bubble Foundation UK, helping families suffering from SCID.

It was organised by Kevin Martin, 45, of Newton Aycliffe, whose daughter, Lisa, died from SCID in 1987.

His son, Christopher, was born with SCID in 1996 and spent five months being successfuly treated for the illness.

“I’ve organised the fundraiser to give something back to the charity, I’m hoping to raise around £3,000," he added.

The event is at Shildon Civic Hall on Saturday, February 15 from 7pm. Tickets are £10 and they can be obtained from the venue on 01388-772902 or via fourletterwordrock@gmail.com