Story
Our story...
In January 2017 we were blessed with the arrival of our beautiful baby boy ‘George’. From the first time we laid our eyes on him and held him in our arms we were besotted. However quite soon that joy was replaced with despair, when our little man was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallots, TOF for short). If left untreated, we were told that TOF carries a 35% mortality rate in the first year of life, and a 50% mortality rate in the first three years.
To save George’s life, we were told that he would need to undergo major open heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to repair the 4 heart defects which make up this disease.
In build up to his operation we visited GOSH numerous times for pre op scans, tests and consultations. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted by the most amazing people who made this ordeal just that little bit more manageable. From the nurses on Walrus Ward who carried out George’s initial tests, to the Cardiologist’s who sang to him for almost two hours during his echo-cardiograms. The level of care and support given to George and our family was beyond any of our expectations and prepared us as well as possible for what was to come.
George underwent major open heart surgery on the 13th of June 2017. The procedure was carried out by Mr Ben Davies, more about him later.
Watching George being put under by the anesthetists and taken through to surgery was one or the hardest things I’ve ever had to witness. However that was quickly replaced by seeing our little solider connected head to toe in wires and tubes when we first got to see him in intensive care. Seeing something so little in that environment just didn’t seem fair but you soon realised that George was just one of many little ones going through their own personal battles.
During George’s time in intensive care (Flamingo Ward), he received the most incredible one on one care from a handful of nurses, who didn’t leave his side. Their love and commitment to their job was inspiring.
George’s fighting spirit soon started to show and he continually shocked medical staff on his progress and determination to get better. Seeing him concur the major milestones such as breathing on his own, moving his hands, opening his eyes, feeding will always be something that will stick with me forever. George’s bravery was awe-inspiring and I still can’t believe how something so little can get over such adversity.
George’s final part of his GOSH journey was spent in Bear Ward. At this point only one parent could stay overnight with George. Fortunately for us we were taken on by another amazing charity ‘The Sick Children’s Trust’ who’s focus is to provide families with critically ill children local accommodation to ensure parents can spend as much time with their children and partners as possible. I cannot underestimate what an amazing impact 'The Sick Children Trust’ had on our family, it enabled me to offer maximum support to George and Emily during his recover period.
A few months on and George was making a fantastic recovery. Yes, there will be hurdles to tackle in the future but we're just thankful to have George in our lives and are able to watch him grow like a normal baby boy. Special thanks must be given to George’s surgeon Mr Davies, who not only offered us incredible support pre and post opp but did a fantastic job fixing our little man’s heart and given him the best possible chance for a normal life.
None of this could've been possible without the staff, equipment, processes, communication and overall care given by GOSH. Miracles do happen here and I would like to somehow try and repay my gratitude and hopefully help other families get through their own personal battles.
I’ll be focusing all my efforts to raise money for this amazing charity. With the help of friends and family , Datchet Village Football Club and my work (ComXo) I’ll be organising a number of charity sporting events throughout the year, culminating with the London marathon in 2018. This will also be supported by other ongoing fundraising activities, which I’ll keep you updated with on this page. If you wish to make a general donation to this amazing cause, please use the donation button on this page.
You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal.
Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.
In January 2017 we were blessed with the arrival of our beautiful baby boy ‘George’. From the first time we laid our eyes on him and held him in our arms we were besotted. However quite soon that joy was replaced with despair, when our little man was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallots, TOF for short). If left untreated, we were told that TOF carries a 35% mortality rate in the first year of life, and a 50% mortality rate in the first three years.
To save George’s life, we were told that he would need to undergo major open heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to repair the 4 heart defects which make up this disease.
In build up to his operation we visited GOSH numerous times for pre op scans, tests and consultations. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted by the most amazing people who made this ordeal just that little bit more manageable. From the nurses on Walrus Ward who carried out George’s initial tests, to the Cardiologist’s who sang to him for almost two hours during his echo-cardiograms. The level of care and support given to George and our family was beyond any of our expectations and prepared us as well as possible for what was to come.
George underwent major open heart surgery on the 13th of June 2017. The procedure was carried out by Mr Ben Davies, more about him later.
Watching George being put under by the anesthetists and taken through to surgery was one or the hardest things I’ve ever had to witness. However that was quickly replaced by seeing our little solider connected head to toe in wires and tubes when we first got to see him in intensive care. Seeing something so little in that environment just didn’t seem fair but you soon realised that George was just one of many little ones going through their own personal battles.
During George’s time in intensive care (Flamingo Ward), he received the most incredible one on one care from a handful of nurses, who didn’t leave his side. Their love and commitment to their job was inspiring.
George’s fighting spirit soon started to show and he continually shocked medical staff on his progress and determination to get better. Seeing him concur the major milestones such as breathing on his own, moving his hands, opening his eyes, feeding will always be something that will stick with me forever. George’s bravery was awe-inspiring and I still can’t believe how something so little can get over such adversity.
George’s final part of his GOSH journey was spent in Bear Ward. At this point only one parent could stay overnight with George. Fortunately for us we were taken on by another amazing charity ‘The Sick Children’s Trust’ who’s focus is to provide families with critically ill children local accommodation to ensure parents can spend as much time with their children and partners as possible. I cannot underestimate what an amazing impact 'The Sick Children Trust’ had on our family, it enabled me to offer maximum support to George and Emily during his recover period.
A few months on and George was making a fantastic recovery. Yes, there will be hurdles to tackle in the future but we're just thankful to have George in our lives and are able to watch him grow like a normal baby boy. Special thanks must be given to George’s surgeon Mr Davies, who not only offered us incredible support pre and post opp but did a fantastic job fixing our little man’s heart and given him the best possible chance for a normal life.
None of this could've been possible without the staff, equipment, processes, communication and overall care given by GOSH. Miracles do happen here and I would like to somehow try and repay my gratitude and hopefully help other families get through their own personal battles.
I’ll be focusing all my efforts to raise money for this amazing charity. With the help of friends and family , Datchet Village Football Club and my work (ComXo) I’ll be organising a number of charity sporting events throughout the year, culminating with the London marathon in 2018. This will also be supported by other ongoing fundraising activities, which I’ll keep you updated with on this page. If you wish to make a general donation to this amazing cause, please use the donation button on this page.
You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal.
Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.