Family grateful for 'Butterfly' brothers tributes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21916750

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The family of two young brothers who died of a rare skin condition within days of each other, have thanked people for their support.

Harry and Cody Churchill from Poole, aged three and 21 months, both had epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

A minute's applause in honour of the boys was held at AFC's Bournemouth's match on Saturday.

A Facebook post said the family were grateful for "every single message of love at this sad time".

Harry died at Julia's House hospice in Corfe Mullen on 13 March and Cody died two days later in hospital in Poole.

In January the Churchill family had taken part in a BBC Inside Out programme to raise awareness of EB.

Younger EB patients are sometimes called "butterfly children" because their skin is fragile like a butterfly's wings.

In an earlier Facebook post, parents Chris and Steph Churchill said: "Losing two children in two days is anyone's worse nightmare. The only comfort we have is knowing they are reunited as one.

"Cody couldn't live without Harry - their bond was far too strong."

The skin condition affects about 5,000 people in the UK.

It causes the skin to become very fragile and any trauma or friction can result in painful blisters.