LAUNCESTON man, Matt Endacott, is arranging to raise awareness and money for Tamba, Twins and Multiple Births Association, following the tragic deaths of his twin daughters, Rose and Angel, writes Ryan Cox and Rosie Cripps.

Last year, Matt and his wife, Vicky, discovered that they were expecting a baby, which overjoyed them completely, as they had always wanted children together.

Following a scare 10 weeks later, the couple was told they were expecting twins and, although ecstatic at the news, they were also made aware of the potential risks of expecting identical twins from the information they were given.

Matt and Vicky continued through their journey with pregnancy, experiencing their 12 week scan and being able to see their babies right in front of them on the screen.

However, during their 18 week scan, the couple was told the terrible news that their twin babies were suffering from twin to twin transfusion syndrome, which only identical twins can suffer from.

The twins shared a placenta during the pregnancy, meaning blood can be passed from one baby to the other. Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) occurs when there are too many blood connections in one direction, causing an unequal flow of blood between the twins.

When this happens, one twin may receive too much blood and become overloaded with fluid, putting strain on the heart. This leads to the other twin getting crushed against the wall of the uterus whilst receiving not enough blood to help the baby grow. If left untreated, the babies are at very high risk of losing their lives.

Matt and Vicky visited Birmingham women’s hospital, where Vicky received laser treatment to separate the twins’ blood flow, meaning they would be able to grow independently. This was thought to be a successful operation, but when they went back to Exeter Hospital for a follow up, it was revealed that it had failed.

Disaster struck when Vicky Endacott’s waters broke 20 minutes before the next planned operation at Birmingham; Vicky would have to give birth to the twins, whose lungs had not developed properly, meaning the twins had no chance of survival out of the womb.

Heartbroken, Matt and Vicky aim to do as much charity work and raise as much awareness as possible, to help experts carry out extensive research to find new ways to treat the disease.

He has purchased a bike and has already started training with the intention of cycling the 600 odd miles from John O’ Groats to Lands End next year, whilst, in the mean time, along with Vicky, he hopes to plan a lot of other fundraising events.

Matt said: “My plans are to make as much money as I can to help others suffering from TTTS, which is the disease that our girls got.

“I’m going to do the John O’ Groats to Lands End cycle next year and for fundraising this year we’re going to organise quiz nights, a music night and potentially a boxing match which my good friend Steve Hooper said he’d be happy to get involved in.

“I’m going to try and do something every year to help the charity and so far without any actual fundraising events we’ve raised nearly £2,000 in a couple of weeks. One of my old football clubs, Camelford, have also raised an extra £500 for the charity too which isn’t included in that total, it’s amazing.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for the support they have shown my wife and I — we are truly overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity, it means so much to us.”

To keep up to date with the fundraising and to donate, visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/angelrose