Evelina Children’s Hospital cares for 104,000 children every year, and last month our beautiful baby girl was looked after by the amazing Evelina team. Clara was born with a large ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart) and started showing signs of heart failure at just a few days old. She needed an operation on her heart earlier rather than later but she was too small for surgery and, whilst her heart and lungs were working so hard, she was barely growing. This was a difficult period, watching her little body struggle every day whilst the medical team worked hard to stabilise her, manage her symptoms and help her grow.

At seven weeks old, Clara was ready for her open heart surgery at Evelina Children’s Hospital. The operation took around five hours during which the surgeons opened her chest, stopped her heart and stitched a patch over the hole causing all the trouble. The call to say that Clara was out of surgery and the operation had gone well was such an incredible relief.

Her recovery was a journey in itself. She spent five days in paediatric intensive care and a further five on the Evelina Cardiology Ward. Slowly her heart function began to improve, its rhythm steadied and she required less and less breathing support. Finally, at two months old and just ten days after her surgery, we were able to take her home for the first time. Since then, Clara has been doing so well - she’s growing, feeding, gurgling and smiling, and bringing us all such joy. It truly feels like a little miracle.

We will never forget the care, diligence and expertise of the Evelina medical team, who saved our daughter’s life and treated us with such kindness.

I’m doing the 104 miles Steps For Evelina Challenge in May to raise money for the Evelina Charity. This is just over 5km a day which I plan to run or walk with the little lassie along for the ride. I’d be incredibly grateful for any donations to a wonderful charity so close to our hearts.

Every penny you donate will help to support the compassionate and pioneering care for children, young people and their families. And helps to care for the amazing Evelina London team.