IT’S BEEN an exhausting and traumatic two years for Petersfield parents Ally and Clara Parker – but they can finally plan for their young daughter’s homecoming.

And this has been made possible by the huge support for Marlowe Parker shown by Petersfield people, including Post readers.

A fundraising appeal has now raised £4,000 for vital physiotherapy and sensory equipment to be installed in the Highfield Road home of Marlowe, who was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect, and she now requires round-the-clock ventilation and care.

This almost hits the cash target needed, with a fundraising football match with Portsmouth Legends team planned at Petersfield Town Football Club.

Work on an extension to the home, which will be Marlowe’s bedroom and allow for specially-trained carers to live in, is due to be completed this week.

This has been paid for by a grant from East Hampshire District Council, a donation by South?Downs Building Company, and a kitchen donated by Howdens Joinery in Petersfield when the company heard about their plight.

“The support has been amazing,” said Ally (25), who is also coping, with Clara (31), with Marlowe’s boisterous twin Henley too.

“We would not have been able to bring Marlowe home without it, so we want to say a massive thank-you to everyone.”

The couple have feared for Marlowe’s life several times as the daughter they describe as “always smiling, so happy”, underwent open heart surgery and was in intensive care at Southampton General Hospital for 128 days.

But they are now planning a welcome home around her second birthday on July 18.

There has been a slight setback with Marlowe back in hospital this week with a chest infection, but they now feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.