BIG-hearted Petersfield people have rallied to the support of poorly twin baby Marlowe Parker after an appeal in the Post.

The cash target has almost been reached for the one-year-old’s specialist buggy, with around £900 of the £1,300 donated by generous people and businesses in the town, including The Square Brewery.

And the Petersfield Social Club is holding a ‘Marlowe’s Fundraiser’ on Friday, September 30, at 7.30pm with supporters invited to attend.

Marlowe’s parents Ally (24) and Claire Parker have been overwhelmed by the response.

They have both had to give up their jobs to provide round-the-clock care for their daughter and were struggling to meet the cost of the buggy fitted with a ventilator.

Originally the price of this was £3,230, but the couple were given the good news that Marlowe’s muscles were developing well, and her destroyed lungs recovering enough for her to have a less specialised pram. She is now off the ventilator for a few hours a day.

Marlowe, whose twin Henley is a healthy little boy, was born with Down’s Syndrome and a cardiac condition resulting in open heart surgery earlier this year.

She contracted flu, and on the way home from the hospital deteriorated rapidly, her lungs destroyed. She was re-admitted to the paediatric and intensive care unit at Southampton hospital where she has been ever since.

Ally and Claire (29) hope to have her home to Highfield Road for Christmas. They will be attending, with Henley, the social club event.

All are invited. There will be music through the decades from a DJ giving his time for free, a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, facepainting and fun activities. Tickets are £5. Just turn up on the night.

Claire said:“Although it’s been a tough few weeks with Ally and I taking it in turns to be with Marlowe in hospital so hardly ever seeing each other, it’s amazing news about Marlowe’s health, and about the response after the story in the Post.”

The couple’s friend Karen Jenkins, who is on the committee of the social club, sprang into action after seeing the story too, and organised the event.

It is hoped to hit the buggy target with any funds over going to the unit at the hospital. “They do incredible work there and have saved Marlowe’s life so many times,” added Claire, who is about to celebrate her 30th birthday with the twins.