Our ambitious challenge is to raise £100,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) This was a pledge we made as parents to thank the hospital and staff that saved our daughters life. It is a charity that sits in the hearts of so many people, but for your child to need access to the neonatal funded intensive care unit you appreciate first hand just how life changing the funds raised can be. Eva Jem West was born on the 21st October 2017, but sadly the joy of welcoming her back to the family home was short lived as she was re-admitted back to hospital at 9 days old. After a worrisome few weeks Eva was transferred to GOSH for further investigation. Within 24 hours they were able to diagnose Eva’s extremely rare h-type tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) which is an abnormal connection between the airway and the food pipe. This meant as Eva swallowed milk small amounts would enter her lungs and without surgical repair she would not survive. This life-threatening condition affects 1 in 100,000 children – which is the target fundraising amount #teameva have chosen. TOF’s often lead to severe and fatal pulmonary complications and just hours after being diagnosed things suddenly took a turn for the worse as Eva’s lungs could no longer cope. Eva was admitted to intensive care – and our 3-month rollercoaster began. To watch your child fight for their life is every bit as horrifying as you might dare to let yourself imagine, but through even the darkest moments we remained grateful for the world class care Eva received. Eva was stable enough to have her operation on the 19th of December and she was finally able to come home on Valentine’s day. Although Eva is still fed via a tube and will require special care for some time to come, we are forever grateful for the treatment she continues to receive and the wonderful opportunity of life that is ahead of her. So, to celebrate our incredible Eva and to extend our gratitude and thanks so that GOSH can continue to change the lives of other families with seriously ill children. We welcome you to support #teameva in whichever way you can. Thank you in advance for your contribution and keep in touch with our fundraising journey at www.teameva.co.uk “Though she be but little, she is fierce” Jamie, Jade, Anneli & Eva West