A HEARTBROKEN dad has spoken out after his 18-year-old son lost a life-long battle with a chronic debilitating condition.

Kieran Preston, who had neurometabolic mitochondrial disease, died on Friday, March 17.

The 18-year-old required 24-hour care, and was cared for at home by his parents Paul and Rachel.

“We can only say he’s at peace. He suffered until the very last moment,” Paul told the Guardian.

Kieran’s condition meant he was unable to walk or speak and had to be fed through a 24-hour feeding tube.

He also suffered from bladder failure, epilepsy, muscle-wasting, scoliosis, osteoporosis and nutritional failure.

“He was brain damaged. He was not an 18 year-old-man – he was a four-year-old boy and his body was deteriorating around him,” Paul said.

Kieran took a variety of medication to help ease his pain, however Paul said his body had become resistant to the drugs.

He also regularly suffered from seizures.

Paul said Kieran suffered a ‘massive’ seizure on Monday, March 13, and his health rapidly deteriorated from there.

Paul said: “Unfortunately this was a massive seizure, a life changing seizure which Kieran never recovered from. He was dying in our arms for five days.

“His tummy failed and he had a heart attack, his heart failed. His brain probably died on Monday, his body just caught up.”

Paul said Kieran remained in pain throughout it all

Last summer, the Northwich community rallied round to enable Kieran and his family to fly out to Orlando a few weeks after Kieran turned 18.

Unfortunately, Kieran’s health took a turn for the worst upon arriving in Florida and the family were unable to leave the hotel room for the duration of the trip.

Kieran is now the third child Paul and Rachel have lost to neurometabolic mitochondrial disease.

Kieran’s sister Stacey died in July 2015, aged 20 after a lifelong battle with the same disease, and Stacey's sister Kristen, who also had the disease, died in 1992 aged eight weeks old.

Following Kieran’s passing, Paul and Rachel will continue to work to support families and professionals in raising awareness of all neurometabolic mitochondrial disorders with the charity they founded, The Children's Mitochondrial Disease Network.

Paul said: “I just want to say thank you to all our neighbours and people in the community who have supported us over the years.”

Kieran’s family has set up a GoFundMe Page to help pay for his funeral, which is due to take place on Thursday, April 6.

The funeral will take place at St Helens Church in Northwich on Thursday, April 6. A horse and carriage will proceed from Heber Walk from 9.30am.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and can arrive at the church from 10am.

To donate to Kieran’s final celebration day visit gofundme.com/Kierans-final-celebration-day