FAMILES came together to demonstrate their support for the family of Charlie Gard, who is desperately ill.

A protest was staged outside Colchester Town Hall to raise awareness of Charlie’s struggle and the legal battle his parents are facing.

Charlie’s parents have made several unsuccessful legal challenges to a medical decision to end their 11-month-old baby’s life support.

They have just handed in a 350,000-signature petition calling for him to be allowed to travel to the US for treatment.

Charlie inherited the faulty RRM2B gene, affecting cells which produce energy, leaving him unable to move or breathe without a ventilator.

Sky Davis, from Colchester, staged the protest in support of Charlie’s parents.

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She said: “It was amazing. The people who came did really well and had their loud voices on.

“There was one little girl who just kept screaming ‘save Charlie Gard’ at the top of her lungs.

“We made lots of banners and posters and McDonald’s donated balloons.”

The High Court has just heard fresh evidence from foreign healthcare facilities.

Charlie’s mum Connie Yates and dad Chris Gard, from west London, said they are determined to continue their fight for their son to have nucleoside therapy.

Sky said she had supported the family’s protests in London. She said: “I have been to the High Court in London as they have set up an event as a show of support for Charlie’s parents.

“I think it shows there is hope. It says a lot having specialists saying the treatment could work.”

Great Ormond Street Hospital’s decision to go back to court came after researchers at two international healthcare facilities said they had fresh evidence about the experimental treatment.

Protesters spent two hours outside Colchester Town Hall before marching and chanting down to Castle Park.

They released the balloons which had cards attached, with the date and location of the peaceful protest.

Sky also had a banner with photos of two other babies at hospitals in the UK, whose parents have been told their life support must be switched off.

About 15 people came to support Sky and her mum at the town hall.

To follow Charlie’s story visit Charlie’s Army on Facebook.