In April 2026, I’ll be taking on one of the biggest challenges of my life — running the London Landmarks Half Marathon — for a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts.

This is our story.

At our 20-week scan, we were told the words no parent ever wants to hear: our baby girl had a “hole in her heart.” In that moment, my world stopped. It was just the beginning of what would become the most emotional and challenging journey of our lives.

We were told our daughter would need open-heart surgery before she was 6 months old. Every day of my pregnancy was filled with worry — I longed to meet her, yet I wanted to keep her safe inside me where her heart was working perfectly.

Then, on 8th July 2025, our beautiful baby girl, Maeva, was born. It was the happiest day of our lives — she was perfect in every way. We were sent home the next day, full of love and excitement, enjoying our little newborn bubble.

At two weeks old, a heart scan confirmed that Maeva had a large VSD and would definitely need surgery. Hearing those words again shattered me. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to her.

Just a few weeks later, Maeva suddenly went blue around her mouth and was struggling to breathe. We rushed her to A&E, where we were told she was in heart failure. After a week in our local hospital, we were transferred to Evelina London Children’s Hospital, who had been looking after us since pregnancy.

After 2 long weeks in hospital, Maeva was put on medication to help her heart, and we had weekly appointments and scans at Evelina.

Then, at 12 weeks old, we were told, “She’s ready for surgery.”

The reality hit hard — the day we had dreaded for months was here.

On 8th October 2025, Maeva went in for her open-heart surgery. Those six hours of waiting were the longest of our lives. When we finally got the call to say it was over, we thought the nightmare was behind us.

But just hours later, Maeva turned blue from the shoulders up — severely swollen and unrecognisable. The next morning, we were called into a room and told the unthinkable:

“We need to take her back to theatre. She needs open-heart surgery again, urgently.”

I couldn’t breathe. No parent should ever have to hear those words.

After another four agonising hours, the surgeons told us the second surgery was successful and the complication had been corrected. Maeva spent seven long days in intensive care on a breathing tube and sedation. Not being able to hold her or even recognise her was heartbreaking beyond words.

Then finally, after a week, she opened her eyes. That moment — holding her again — felt like the second-best day of my life, right after the day she was born.

Maeva made an incredible recovery. Just ten days after two open-heart surgeries, our brave little girl was discharged home. She truly is our heart warrior.

Today, Maeva is thriving. You would never know what she’s been through — except for her beautiful little scar, which I now see as her badge of courage. She has a full, healthy heart and a life ahead of her filled with endless possibilities — she can run, play, dream, and live just like any other child (though no tattoos or too many sweets for her… which isn’t so bad!).

Maeva, you’ve given me strength I never knew I had. You are the light of our lives, and I will spend forever making sure you have everything you ever wish for.

We will never be able to thank Evelina London Children’s Hospital and ECHO enough for everything they’ve done — for saving our daughter’s life, and for holding our hands through every moment of fear and hope.

This run is for Maeva.

It’s for the incredible families we met along the way — each with their own story of courage and love.

It’s for every child with a heart condition, fighting with all their strength.

Thank you so much for any donation, big or small. Every pound truly makes a difference and helps families like ours.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for reading, for supporting, and for believing.

See you at the finish line! 💖