We're raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) to thank them for saving Ruby's life and their ongoing care for Ruby. The money raised will be going to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and if we're lucky enough to raise over our target the additional money will go to wards 11 and 12, the cardiac wards at BCH.

Ruby will be doing a sponsored walk starting on her first birthday, 20th April 2021, until her Heartiversary (the first anniversary of her first open heart surgery) on 28th April 2021. She will wear a pedometer on her ankle and will aim to walk 3 miles over the 8 days! As Ruby is not walking independently just yet, her miles will be made up of steps using her walker and holding onto furniture or someone's hand 👣

Here's our heart warrior Ruby's story...

Ruby was born during the first Lockdown on 20th April 2020 at 22.52 weighing 6lb 14oz. We fell in love with her instantly 😍

Unfortunately, at 2 days old Ruby was diagnosed with a Congential Heart Defect (CHD) something that hadn't been picked up during my scans. Ruby was taken straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Royal Stoke and then at 3 days old she was transferred to ward 11 at BCH.

Further tests revealed that Ruby's condition was considered critical and at just 8 days old I carried Ruby into theatres for her first open heart surgery. Nothing can prepare you for leaving your babies life in the hands of the surgeons. The hours that followed were the most difficult of them all! Finally, after 6 hours, we got the call to tell us that Ruby was stable in intensive care.

After a few days Ruby had made such good progress she was transferred back to the cardiac ward (ward 12). Then on 5th May Ruby was transferred to the children's ward at the Royal Stoke to continue her recovery.

Finally just 10 days after surgery on 8th May (Ruby's original due date) we got to take our little warrior home! This was also VE day and this was a massive victory for us!

Unfortunately, a check up at 3 months old showed Ruby's heart condition had deteriorated and so Ruby had her 2nd heart operation. Again Ruby proved what a warrior she is and we got her home the following day.

Ruby continues to have check ups and is currently stable. Ruby will require many surgeries throughout her life as that is the nature of her CHD. But she has already proved how strong she is and she will continue to fight this. Our little heart warrior ❤

We want to thank all the staff who looked after Ruby and also supported Ross and I during the most difficult time of our lives. Their support was incredible and very much needed, especially as we had to visit Ruby separately due to Covid restrictions. The team at BCH also arranged for us to have accommodation close to the hospital whilst Ruby was a patient, which took away the stress of us having to travel. Nothing we can say or do will ever thank them enough, but hopefully this will be a small token of our gratitude for saving our babies life.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story 💕