In 2027, along with my sisters, I will be running the Liverpool Half Marathon and the Manchester Marathon to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Charity.

As some of you may know, my daughter Robin had open-heart surgery at Alder Hey in 2024 and I want to raise money to give back for the care we received, as well as the work they continue to do for families like us every day.

Below is Robin's story. Please donate if you can; every penny is truly appreciated.

Robin's Story

When Robin was born in 2024, she was immediately diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect, commonly known as a hole in the heart. We were advised this was a condition she may grow out of, with the hole closing naturally with growth, or surgery may be required.

This condition caused Robin to struggle to eat or gain weight. After a few months of monitoring, Robin's cardiologist advised that open-heart surgery would be required, which no parent is ever prepared for. We were then passed over to the specialists at Alder hey for monitoring and to schedule surgery. We instantly knew we were in good hands, being well looked after and reassured at every single appointment.

At seven months old, Robin underwent the surgery to close the hole in her heart. She was given a blood transfusion and put on bypass to stop her heart. The surgeons then closed the hole with an organic patch.

After the longest five hours of mine and Phil's lives, the surgeons told us all had gone smoothly. Robin went on to receive incredible care and support from all the staff at Alder Hey, from one-to-one care in the NICU after surgery, to round the clock care on the ward.

After a surprisingly short stay of only 6 days, we were sent home with Robin almost seeming like her old self again.

With regular check-ups, we were constantly reassured that Robin's surgery had been a success. In the following months her recovery spoke for itself. Robin gained weight and progressed faster than we could have possibly expected or hoped for.

To look at her now, with only a scar on her chest, you'd never know the struggles Robin has been through. We will forever be grateful to the surgeons, cardiologists, and all of the staff at Alder Hey for making the most trying months of our lives as manageable as possible.