HAMPSHIRE families forced to cope with the devastating effects of muscular dystrophy alone will soon be getting the vital support they have been calling out for.

Despite funding being in place since March for a much needed care advisor in the county, parents with youngsters suffering from the life-limiting disease have been struggling without any help.

But thanks to pressure on health chiefs by one Hampshire MP and campaigning families, a promise has been made to have one employed by next month.

The news has been welcomed by Wickham parents Julia-Anne Baseley and her partner Stuart Layton, who have been fighting for more support since their four- year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with the disease in May this year.

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of hereditary muscle diseases that weaken the muscles progressively, causing disabilities.

Julia-Anne went along to Westminster with Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the condition, to put pressure on NHS bosses to employ more care advisors.

They were promised by Simon Jupp, South Central NHS Specialised Commissioning Group Director, that a NHS-funded advisor, who specialises in muscular diseases, would be in post by December to help families in Hampshire.

Julie-Anne, 34, told the Daily Echo: “Having a care advisor will be invaluable. You cannot put a price on how it will feel to get somebody who understands you and can point you in the right direction for help, whether medical or practical, with disability forms.”