The heartbroken parents of Carter Cookson have paid tribute to their "beautiful" baby boy on what would have been his third birthday.
Little Carter hit the headlines back in 2018 when he faced a race against time for a new heart and a nationwide appeal was launched.
His parents Sarah and Chris Cookson, from South Shields, welcomed Carter into the world on Boxing Day 2018 but were tragically told he may only have days to live and a heart transplant is his only hope.
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But a suitable organ was never found and Carter was just 25 days old when he died at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle on January 19, 2019, devastating his parents.
The couple already went through the heartbreak of losing their first son Charlie, who died aged two in 2013, which led them to set up the Charlie and Carter Cookson Foundation to support other families with seriously ill children.
And now on what would have been Carter's third birthday, his parents penned a heartfelt tribute to their son saying his "strength and determination will live on".
His parents said: "Our youngest angel Carter John Cookson, what we would give to be able to wrap our arms around you, cover you in kisses, and wish you the biggest of 'Happy Birthdays'.
"This day three years ago, we were filled with so much hope and did our very best to squash any doubts of 'What if.... he is like Charlie? He is going to be poorly? It happens again?'
"To our absolute devastation we were proved right in having those doubts, you all felt our heartache, you all did everything you could to help us find Carter his gift of life, we will forever be grateful for your incredible support.
"Carter, you were beautiful, your big brothers double, your hair, your eyes, we loved your feisty personality! Your strength and determination will live on in us both and we will keep changing lives in yours and your brother's name.
"All we can do is try our best and live each day for them give everything we can for them and do our boys proud.
"We still have so many unanswered questions and a million and one 'why's?' They will stay with us both until we can all be together again!
"For now, we will say it out loud and sing to you your 'Happy Birthday Song' we will continue to spoil you, every year until we are here no more."
The Charlie and Carter Cookson Foundation provides financial support to parents of seriously ill children with life-limiting conditions that require 24 hour nursing care.
You can find out more about the foundation by visiting its Facebook page here.
