In July 2022, our world was turned upside down when the sonographer at our routine 20 week scan told us that they could see a problem with our baby’s heart. 

Our daughter Charlotte was born in October 2022 with a serious complex heart condition. She had open heart surgery at 9 weeks old and spent the first 7.5 months of her life in Birmingham Children’s Hospital. She is now finally home and we are having an amazing time making the most of every day with her! 

A baby is born with a serious heart condition every two hours in the UK and despite congenital heart disease being one of the biggest killers of infants, only around half of congenital heart defects are picked up during routine prenatal scanning. 

We didn’t necessarily feel it at the time, but we are so lucky that the sonographer had the skills to spot that Charlotte’s heart had not formed properly. Because of the training she had received, she was able to refer us to specialists in Birmingham and this ensured that Charlotte was born in the right city and had the most amazing medical team around her from birth.

Over 1,000 babies every year leave hospital without their condition being detected. Tiny Tickers is an amazing small charity which trains sonographers to spot cardiac differences which increases detection rates and improves a baby’s chances of survival and long-term quality of life. 

Tiny Tickers also supported us throughout  pregnancy and helped prepare us for spending time in hospital with Charlotte. We were able to meet other parents who were in the same situation as us who have become good friends. This really was invaluable.

We’d love to raise some money for this incredible charity who has helped us and others so much. Any funding would go towards training sonographers and providing equipment to hospitals to help them spot heart problems before babies are discharged home.

Shaun, his brother Rich and friends Ryan, Frank, Ben, Liam, Ross, Chris, Luke, Charlie, Jack and Tom are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on the 16th of September to raise money for Tiny Tickers.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a 24 mile round trip route and includes 1585m of ascent. It takes on the peaks of of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres). 

We really appreciate any sponsorship for this mega challenge that will help CHD families now and in the future. Thank you!