Arthur Chatwin, an 18-month-old toddler from Cheddar, Somerset, is nothing short of a miracle. Born two weeks early in December 2024, Arthur faced life-threatening challenges just days after his birth. At only five days old, he stopped breathing twice and had to be resuscitated by medical teams. Despite these terrifying moments, Arthur fought bravely and pulled through.
Since then, Arthur’s young life has been marked by numerous hospital visits, surgeries, and daily medications—seven doses a day to be exact. His condition, Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, is a rare and severe metabolic liver disorder that affects his ability to process ammonia properly. Now, Arthur is awaiting a life-saving liver transplant at a specialist unit.
His parents, Joe Chatwin and his partner Dani, face enormous challenges beyond just Arthur’s health. They also care for their nearly three-year-old son, George. The family lives in a cramped two-bedroom flat, but Arthur’s condition means he needs his own room, prompting the couple to search for a three-bedroom home.
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Traveling to specialist hospitals like Bristol Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street in London is both time-consuming and expensive. Costs for transport, food, parking, and even overnight stays add up quickly. Although the NHS covers the surgery itself, the family is raising £3,500 to cover these essential expenses.
Joe described the early crisis vividly: “Dani woke me up because Arthur’s breathing was shallow, and there was no response from him. When we reached A&E, he had stopped breathing and was turning blue. He was resuscitated and placed in an induced coma. We lost him a few times; I even had to perform CPR at home. But Arthur fought every step of the way.”
Despite the hardships, Arthur remains a joyful child. He’s now crawling, learning to walk, and loves playing with his older brother George, who has been incredibly supportive through it all. “George loves his brother and hates being apart when Arthur is in hospital. He’s been amazing, especially considering he’s not even three yet,” Joe added.
The family is determined to get Arthur the transplant he desperately needs and are grateful for any support to help manage the overwhelming costs of his journey to recovery.