James is hoping to raise as much money as possible to help the same people that helped him. To make sure that the incredible care he received when he was born, is always there for others like him.

James was born with Di George Syndrome which unfortunately comes with many challenges, especially in the first months of life. James was born in February 2019, and unfortunately didn't get a chance to see the world until July that year. James needed urgent open heart surgery from birth, but was too sick to undergo the procedure when he was born. We waited months and months in NICU hoping he would get strong enough to be able to get the surgery he needed. Unfortunately, he had so many up and downs during his first fragile months of life, multiple bouts of sepsis, constant desaturations in his blood oxygen levels from his broken wee heart, and even needed to be resuscitated twice by the incredible team that looked after him. Me and Rachael had never been so scared in our lives, but we always knew he was in good hands.

James was finally strong enough to get his open heart bypass surgery in the summer of that year and after 20 hours in theatre working on his little heart that was no bigger than his tiny fist, we had him back. We were so glad he had finally had his life saving operation and it had gone so well. Unfortunately we realised that the surgery had some complications and a pacemaker needed to be fitted. The incredible team in PICU nursed him back to health until he graduated to ward 1E where he was looked after by such a professional and caring team of cardiac specialists until one day we were allowed take him home. One of the happiest moments of our lives, we rang the bell before we left and took our wee boy home for the first time. In total James spent over 100 days and nights in NICU, over a month in PICU and a month in ward 1E. James finally got to see the blue sky, take a breath of fresh air, come home to his family, and Joseph finally got to show his little brother his room. We had our family life back.

Unfortunately, we have since needed more help from Glasgow Children's since then, and in April 2021 James needed his third open heart bypass surgery and had recurring respiratory infections and investigations for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis was ruled out but James needed 24/7 oxygen for a year until he fully recovered. Thankfully all went well and touch wood his cardiologist Dr Smith has been happy with his progress ever since. James still has multiple challenges every day, he is peg fed, daily vomiting and has scoliosis of the spine. He is cared for by so many specialists in Glasgow Children's, the cardiac team, the spinal team, the pacing clinic, the gastro team, speech and language, physio, and the list goes on...

When James started school, he was wheelchair bound, non verbal, connected to a feeding pump, and connected to an oxygen tank every hour of every day. We didn't know if James would ever walk, ever talk or even eat or drink. His future was so unclear and we worried for him. Incredibly James is now in P2 in mainstream school, running around, asking questions and lights up every room he enters. Our little sick boy, isn't sick anymore. He makes us so proud everyday, he has never let a minute of his journey hold him back, he is the most inspirational person I've ever met. Between the incredible care he received and continues to receive at Glasgow Children's Hospital, his absolutely amazing team at Christ The King Primary school and his awesome brother Joseph, James is thriving.

Here comes the expensive part. James wants to give something back, he wants to help the same people that helped him. James wants to show everyone that the same boy who was wired to every machine known t

o man for years, that couldn't walk or talk, can now walk 5K around Glasgow singing and dancing and making everyone's day that bit brighter! He might need a little help along the way, but he knows he's always got his team behind him :-)

If you have anything spare to give, please help him reach his goal. It would mean so much to him.

Thank you :-)

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Your generosity will help us to fund enhanced medical equipment, support services and pioneering research at Scotland’s largest children’s hospital, the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

160,000 babies, children and young people from across the country are treated at the hospital every year; your generosity will help us to ensure that our young patients and their families will receive the best possible care.

Once again, thank you for your support.