Boys’ mother urges grave vandals to apologise

The mother of two brothers who died from a rare illness are urging vandals who damaged their grave to say sorry.

Harry and Cody Churchill, aged three and 21 months, both had epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and died within days of each other in 2013.

Toys and mementos from their grave at Poole Cemetery in Dorset were discovered damaged on Thursday.

Their mother Steph Green said the incident took place shortly before what would have been Harry’s 10th birthday.

Dorset Police are also appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Ms Green said: “I just want my children to be able to rest in peace and they can’t do that, it’s disgusting. For someone to come along and do that is just awful.

“They suffered enough when they were alive and they should not have to suffer any more.

“All I want is for someone to come forward and hold their hands up and say sorry, I just want answers.”

Inspector Phil Swanton, of Dorset Police, said: “This is clearly a despicable and senseless crime and has caused considerable upset to the boys’ family.

“We have launched a full investigation to identify those responsible and are carrying out a number of enquiries.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity or has information as to who committed this offence to contact us.

“I would also urge those responsible to look into their conscience, do the right thing and come forward.”

Charity Debra estimates that around 5,000 people in the UK have the condition, which causes the skin to become very fragile and any trauma or friction can result in painful blisters.

Younger patients are sometimes called “butterfly children” because their skin is fragile like a butterfly’s wings.