IT WAS the first birthday the devastated parents of a poorly Petersfield baby, who has been close to death three times, feared they’d never see.

But little Marlowe Parker – called the ‘miracle baby’ by hospital nurses – has defied all the odds to celebrate with her twin brother Henley, and ecstatic mothers Ally and Claire Parker.

Now the couple, who married five years ago, have put out a heartfelt appeal to the people of Petersfield, to help them bring their daughter home to Highfield Road.

This will be impossible without a specialist buggy fitted with ventilator treatment which Marlowe needs 24 hours a day.

Costing £3,230, this is beyond the family budget as Ally (24) and Claire (29) have had to give up their jobs, in administration and finance, to provide constant care.

Marlowe was born with Down’s Syndrome and a cardiac condition resulting in open heart surgery earlier this year. On the journey home after being discharged following the operation she started deteriorating and went straight back into hospital in Southampton.

Birth mother Ally, and Claire, who is registered as Marlowe’s parent on her birth certificate, were devastated to hear she had caught flu and this had destroyed her lungs.

She was fitted with a tracheostomy to enable her to breathe via the ventilator.

Ally said: “It’s been a difficult few months for us and when we took Marlowe back to hospital we were told to say goodbye to her three times, but now she is getting better every day.”

The Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children stepped in with the emergency loan of a buggy, and she was able to be at home for the family birthday party.

But the loan only lasts for six months and Marlowe needs one of her own buggies for the long-term.

Ally added: “We couldn’t be more grateful for the buggy because without it, it would have been impossible for her to spend her birthday with us.

“It came just in time for Marlowe and Henley’s birthday, so she was able to come home with a nurse and spend the day with us.?We had a huge party which all our family and friends attended. It was lovely.”

Claire, whose 11-year-old daughter Faith and terminally ill father lives with them too, said she hoped Marlowe would be out of hospital by Christmas if her lungs recovered enough.

“It has been a rollercoaster,” she said. “The nurses can’t believe it and call her the miracle baby.”

Henley, who has no health issues, and Marlowe are called after places on the Thames that recall fond memories for the couple.

Henley has been spending bonding time in hospital with Marlowe, and they shared a cot there.

The Newlife charity has a dedicated Hampshire fund to help out families such as the Parkers.

If you would like to help with Ally and Claire’s buggy appeal, visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk/ hampshire, and click on the ‘donate’ button beside Marlowe’s story.