Even before Mia was born we knew that she had serious problems with her heart. We had to wait until she was born to find out how serious they would be.

Mia Persoglio was born with serious congenital heart defects which included multiple holes in her heart. Mia is now four years old and has been through three heart operations and two cardiac catheters at Alder Hey, her first when she was just a tiny five week old baby.

There were times when Mia's mum and dad had to face that they might lose her, but the amazing team at Alder Hey saved her life more times than we like to think about. They brought her back to us.

Mia is the bravest and happiest little girl you could meet with a real zest for life! Her most recent heart surgery - to close the large hole in her heart - saw her face more than any little girl should ever have to face in a lifetime. She was brave, strong and a true inspiration to us all.

Mia's dad Christian Persoglio and his good friend Carl Wormald will be trekking across the Great Wall of China to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital, to help support the great work they do and to say thank you for saving Mia's life.

Congenital heart defects are the leading cause of all infant deaths. 1 child in every 145 is born with a heart defect, however 90% of heart-children now live to see their 20th birthday – 20 years ago that wouldn’t have been the case.

This trek is designed to be challenging and we will have to climb literally thousands of steps, we will then climb the ‘Heavenly Ladder’ - an almost vertical staircase that will take us to the top of the mountain.

Raising funds for this incredible hospital means the world to us. We always said that we would wait until Mia heart was 'fixed' and then we would work as hard as we could to show how thankful we are.

That time has come and we would really appreciate your support. Please donate!

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