Heartache, pain and grief are the emotions that Sarah and Chris Cookson constantly feel.
With doubts that their lives will never be the same, the heartbroken parents are left grieving for their sons who they'll sadly never see grow up.
Following their heartache, the couple now use their sons' legacies to help support other families and to help save babies lives.
The couple from South Shields brought their eldest son Charlie into the world on 13 April 2011.
Charlie was born with an undiagnosed condition and suffered from a number of serious diseases which made him spend most of his life in hospital.
At only two-and-a-half years old, Charlie lost his fight for life while his parents were by his side.
After losing their beloved son, the Cooksons set up The Charlie Cookson Foundation in 2013 to provide financial security to parents of children in hospital.
Helping over 60 families so far whose children are seriously ill in hospital, the duo hope to take the finical stress off parents to help them to spend quality time with their children.
Things started to look up for Sarah and Chris, after giving birth to their miracle baby on Boxing Day 2018.
Carter, who was born prematurely, suffered three cardiac arrests within hours of being born.
Born with heart problems, Doctors told Sarah and Chris that their beautiful baby boy has just weeks to live unless a new heart was found.
So Sarah took to social media to desperately find someone to donate their baby's heart to save her son’s life. Her campaign went viral, pulling on the nations heartstrings and beyond.
During this time Sarah and Chris were working to raise awareness of the need for organ donors for babies and children who are on the transplant list.
Devastatingly Carter died before a heart could be found at just 25 days old.
Chris said: "For a dad and a mam to hear two South Shields brothers have made a huge difference, it makes you so proud.
"And to see the difference Carter has made to organ donation, I’m in awe of a boy who was only three weeks old."
Thanks to their dedicated work, they have now been nominated by their close friend, Joanne Bryden, for the Chronicle Champion Awards under the ‘Champion Parent’ category.
She said: “These parents gave their all for their boys while they were here. They continue to honour them every day through their foundation, helping others financially, raising awareness, and supporting people however they can.
“No one can heal their hearts but honouring them and both of their children with a nomination is a reminder of how much we love and support them and all they do.”
In response to their nomination Sarah said: “I am overwhelmed it’s so lovely.
“You here of other people over the years being nominated for awards like this but you never think it’ll be you. How amazing!”
