A DAD who is facing his first Father’s Day since the death of both of his twin boys is urging people to donate to the hospice that cared for them.

As thousands of families across the county celebrate the special day, Mike Illingworth says for him it is a 'reminder of lost future dreams' of sons Ben and Ollie.

The twins were born with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare degenerative condition which causes brain damage and ultimately leaves those affected unable to walk or talk.

They both spent years visiting Helen & Douglas House with their father and mum Fiona until nine-year-old Ben passed away in October 2012.

His brother continued to be looked after at the East Oxford hospice until his own death just last month aged 15.

Mr Illingworth, who lives in Witney, described the charity as ‘amazing’ during the decade and a half the family visited.

He said: “As soon as we entered the front door, the boys come first, and we as parents after. It puts the emphasis on making the most of life for you as a parent as well as for the child, and you make some amazing friends who understand your daily struggles.”

The twins were diagnosed at three with the rare disorder, which affects one in 70,000 children, and as their condition worsened Father’s Day became a ‘constant reminder’ of the experiences he and his only children could no longer share.

Mr Illingworth, who works as a soft tissue therapist, said: “There were no more Father’s Day lunches, as the boys could no longer safely eat as they had a gastrostomy fitted, no more running and playing in the park, or simply enjoying a walk and feeling their hand in mine as they lost the ability to walk and ended up in wheelchairs due to their illness.”

He added: “Father’s Day is a reminder of lost future dreams. I will never get the chance to see the boys grow up, to lead a normal life.

“I will not have the opportunity to watch them grow into adulthood, to grow as a person, to get married and have children of their own and to have someone special in their life and feel the love they have; as I have had the great honour and pleasure of feeling from them.”

Despite his grief, Mr Illingworth said it would still be possible to have a ‘happy’ Father’s Day tomorrow but for ‘very different reasons’ than most parents.

He explained: “The happiness comes from when I reflect on the times I’ve spent with the boys - from the gift of being their dad.

“We shared wonderful days out at zoos and parks and I always enjoyed watching the boys tear around and have fun with big smiles on their faces and lots of laughter.”

On the importance of supporting Helen & Douglas House, he said: “I appreciate everything they have done for me and my family, which is why I try to give a little something back through fundraising and trying to promote awareness of the charity, such as my annual golf day which is in memory of Ben and now Ollie as well.

“I want to tell as many people as I can about the amazing work Helen & Douglas House does for everyone lucky enough to walk through their doors.”

The cash-strapped children’s hospice is set to close part of its operation at the end of next month due to a lack of funds.

Hazel Bedford from Helen & Douglas House said: “We need the public’s support now more than ever.

"Whatever you can afford every month will help us ensure we can care for local terminally ill children and their families, whether that’s £5 a month or £50 a month.”