A new community business venture in Ramsgate is raising awareness of the rare genetic condition that claimed the life of its tiny namesake.

Oisin’s Emporium in the High Street has been launched by Graham Armstrong and named after his grandson Oisin.

He was born to Mr Armstrong’s daughter Ellouisa and her partner John at Belfast Hospital on July 26 this year. He died of congenital diaphraghmatic hernia (CDH) less than 24 hours later.

Mr Armstrong said CDH cannot be diagnosed until 20 weeks into a pregnancy. There is then only a 45% chance of survival for babies affected.

Little Oisin was born with only one lung developed and was immediately transferred to a neonatal unit where he fought for his life in an incubator. What there was of his other lung malfunctioned and poisoned his system, leading to all his other organs shutting down.

Mr Armstrong named the emporium in Oisin’s honour. It is an umbrella to five small businesses including gifts, school bags and stationery, a photographer, handcrafts and an artist and Mr Armstrong’s wife Kim and son Wesley are both involved in the enterprise.

A grand launch will take place on November 16 with the Mayoress of Ramsgate as the guest of honour.

Mr Armstrong is also organising a fundraiser in aid of CDH UK on Saturday, November 23, at Newington Community Centre, Princess Margaret Avenue, from 10am, with facepainting, hairbraiding, a bouncy castle, disco and barbecue.

CDH UK is made up of families, friends and medical professionals affected by CDH

The charity provides support, information and advice on CDH by sharing experiences, providing news and information, raising awareness and working together with families and medical professionals to improve treatments and to further research. For more see: www.cdhuk.org.uk