By HELEN RAE
THE grandparents of heart-swap toddler Martha Andersen hope to raise thousands of pounds for the hospital which gave their child a second chance of life.
Just last year the youngster’s family was told she had only a few hours to live.
But today the two-year-old is a picture of happiness after undergoing a life-saving transplant at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital when her tiny heart failed beyond repair.
After months in hospital, Martha’s family were finally given the all-clear to take her home to join twin sister Matilda and brother Harry, six.
Their parents, Carl, 37, and Gillian, 35, from Edmundbyers, County Durham, had endured an agonising wait for a heart donor. But on March 9, 2007, their prayers were answered when a family in the Midlands decided to donate the heart of their son.
Medics raced it to the Freeman within four hours and during a gruelling eight-hour operation Martha was given the gift of life.
Grandfather Gordon Gipson, 64, said his family would be eternally grateful to medical staff at the hospital and has organised a charity concert in aid of the Freeman’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Speaking from his home in Gosforth, Mr Gipson said: “Martha means the world to us and for her to be given a second chance of life is the best gift anyone could have asked for. She has been through so much in her little life, but she just gets on with it with a huge smile on her face. I’m so proud of how well she’s coped.
“All the medical staff at the Freeman have been unbelievable and we’re overwhelmed with what they’ve done. By way of showing our family’s appreciation we’ve organised a charity night and hope to raise up to pounds 8,000 for the paediatric intensive care unit to help other youngsters who will use the service in the future.”
The charity concert is taking place at The Peoples Theatre, in Newcastle, and includes performances from North East comedian Brendan Healey, jazz singer Jason Issacs, actress Libby Davison and The Klack Band – made up of medical professionals. Part of the money raised will go to Cancer Research UK.
The event is on November 10. Tickets are pounds 20 from Mr Gipson: (0191) 2842603 or 07973617907 or the theatre box office (0191) 265 5020.
(c) 2008 Evening Chronicle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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