LITTLE Neve and Drew Turner look like any other children.

But under their smiles lies the heartbreak that they may not live beyond their 30th birthday due to a cruel inherited disease.

The Finchale Primary School pupils were diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) just over three years ago.

There was a one in 625 chance that both inherited the condition from their parents Phillippa and Geoff, who unknowingly carried the faulty gene that causes CF.

Phillippa, 34, said: "To look at them you would not know anything was wrong with them.

"It affects different kids in different ways. Even Drew and Neve are different."

CF is a life-threatening disease which affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus, making it hard to breathe and digest food.

Neve, who is nearly seven, and five-year-old Drew were diagnosed with the disease after Neve suffered gastroenteritis and failed to get better.

After months of testing Neve was diagnosed, and further investigations showed little Drew also had the disease.

Phillippa and Geoff, 35, of Newton Hall, Durham, try to give the girls as normal a life as possible and at the moment they are able to do everything that other children do.

But the endless medication and the twice daily physiotherapy – which is used to stop infections occurring – can take its toll on the girls, and Drew ended up in hospital a couple of times this year.

So earlier this year Phillippa and Geoff decided they wanted to give their Girls Aloud-mad daughters a treat with tickets to see the group at Beamish Hall.

But after looking into prices, Phillippa, who had to give up her job rehabilitating horses with the RSPCA to care for the girls, knew the family could not afford it.

The gig was being held in aid of Sunderland charity Hope 4 Kidz so Phillippa contacted them to see if there were any concessionary tickets – and before she knew it the girls were being offered VIP tickets and a backstage tour.

Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled because of bad weather, much to the disappointment of Neve and Drew.

But before they knew it they had another exciting trip to look forward to – a weekend at Alton Towers.

Phillippa said: "To be able to go and stay there is something we would never have been able to do because it costs so much money.

"We stayed at Splash Land and had such a fantastic time. Neve absolutely loves roller coasters and Drew really enjoyed swimming."

CF has an average life expectancy of 31 but Phillippa and Geoff are hopeful that new medical advances will provide hope for their daughters.

Phillippa added: "The medical advances at the moment are quite exciting.

"One of the latest things is they have identified the defective gene which causes CF so it could be that it's going to be a manageable condition in the future."


Meet the people who make children's wishes come true
WEARSIDE charity Hope 4 Kidz is making scores of special youngsters' wishes come true.
The charity, set up at Pennywell Business Centre in May 2007, offers all kinds of support for children with special needs – for sick and disabled children, as well as those in poverty.
The support it provides can be anything from specialist equipment to trips for needy children to bring a smile to their faces.
Viv Watts, chief executive of the charity, said: "If we can give a child some hope for the future, that's exactly what we will do."
Individuals apply to the charity for grants and Hope 4 Kidz also organises events for special-needs children from across the North East.
A Christmas party is being held for about 150 youngsters at Passion in Sunderland on December 7, which will include a balloon artist, a magician, a disco, and a surprise guest.
Money was raised for the party from a glitzy ball at Lumley Castle – one of various fund-raising balls held by the charity.
Other fund-raising events include the Caribbean Dreams Ball at the Roker Hotel and The Glitter Ball at Lumley Castle.
Last year the charity worked with several companies, including Keel Row Shopping Centre and gentoo, to provide selection boxes for children across the North East.
The boxes were given out at various locations, including Sunderland Royal Hospital and the Eye Infirmary, and the charity hopes to do the same this year.
For more information, contact 534 7788.