Leeds 10K: Mum Fundraises for Heart Charity That Supported Her Son

Shona is taking on the Leeds 10K to raise money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund – a charity that supported her family through the most difficult time of their lives.

In 2021, Shona welcomed her baby boy, Tommy. They were settling into life as a new family, enjoying those precious early weeks in their newborn bubble. But when Tommy was just 17 days old, everything changed.

He suddenly became unwell – his temperature dropped, his skin turned pale and clammy, and his breathing was not right. Tommy was rushed to hospital in Chesterfield by emergency blue-light ambulance.

Shona recalls the terrifying uncertainty: Tommy was surrounded by medical professionals, yet no one knew what was wrong. Doctors worked urgently, exploring multiple possible causes and administering a range of treatments to cover every possibility.

During this time, Tommy had to be resuscitated, and his condition became critical. Shona and Tommy’s dad were told to call their families, as doctors feared the worst.

But then, against all odds, Tommy began to show signs of recovery.

That same night, he was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital in a specialist ambulance, where he was kept safe in a coma. There, doctors identified a serious heart defect and quickly arranged for him to be moved again – this time to Leeds General Infirmary for specialist care.

On the day Tommy turned three weeks old, he underwent his first open heart surgery. The operation lasted more than eight hours.

‘It was the most nerve-wracking wait of our lives.’ Shona said.

Tommy recovered well from the surgery, and doctors were encouraged by his progress. However, his journey was far from over. He required close monitoring and numerous hospital visits before undergoing a second open heart surgery at just three months old.

His third and final operation took place when he was 11 months old. Doctors later confirmed that Tommy had been born with a hypoplastic aortic arch, a large ventricular septal defect, and a narrowed subaortic arch.

Throughout this incredibly distressing time, the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund was a constant source of support for Shona and her family.

“They were there every step of the way,” Shona said, “offering support however they could for Tommy’s dad and me.”

The charity provided accommodation within the hospital so they could stay close to Tommy, as well as emotional support and food vouchers to help them manage while they were both unable to work.

After everything their family has been through, and the support they received, Shona is now determined to give something back, helping other families facing similarly frightening journeys.