Alfie Evans' parents tell of joy at new baby but say his arrival was 'bittersweet'

Sophie Williams3 September 2018

The parents of Alfie Evans have made their first television appearance since the death of their son, to tell of their joy at having a son who they have named Thomas.

Kate and Tom Evans explained the heartache of losing a child adding that the last week of his life was “torture” and that the birth of their new son was "bittersweet" as they showed their new child to the nation.

Alfie died in April aged 23 months following a battle with a degenerative brain condition.

His parents endured numerous High Court battles to continue treatment for their son abroad but judges eventually supported doctors’ decisions to end Alfie’s life support.

Tom, 21, said: “You do everything you can for your kids and then it all comes crashing down on you.”

Alfie died in April ages 23 months
Alfies Army Official

His wife said that they were nervous about the new baby, born four months after the death of their son, “in case he looked like Alfie.”

She added: “Sometimes you feel like Alfie is in him. He’s his own baby.”

The couple told the show that in June doctors discovered what had caused their son’s degenerative brain condition.

Kate said that doctors discovered that Alfie had two faulty genes, one from each parent.

Baby Thomas was born four months after the death of Alfie Evans  
Rex Features

She said: “Only ten children in the world have it. Five have passed away and five are still alive. There is treatment but it has only been tested on two people.”

The couple have a one in four chance of passing the gene on to future children but they said that their new baby has been tested and does not carry the gene.

Moving forwards, they said they are waiting for a charity number to set up a foundation in Alfie’s name that will benefit sick children.

Alfie died in April aged 23 months following a battle with a degenerative brain condition
AFP/Getty Images

Tom said: “We will do everything we can in Alfie’s name to save children. Thomas will be an ambassador when he’s older. It’s all for Alfie.

“We’ve already donated money to 15 children. Our little boy is making changes around the world.

“We will always have two amazing children.”

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