Brave Aoife is just 7 years old. Up until a few months ago, she was a happy, active little girl who loved dancing, playing with her friends, and going on adventures with her family. Life was full of laughter and ordinary moments – the kind you treasure without even realising.

But everything changed when Aoife became very unwell, very quickly. After tests and hospital visits, we received the heart breaking news that Aoife’s condition Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – a serious condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weak was worsening. For someone so small to face something so big is unimaginable. After life saving treatment in Crumlin, Aoife was urgently transferred to the Freeman’s Hospital in Newcastle, where she is now receiving specialist care from the incredible heart team. Her heart is no longer strong enough to work on its own. She has been fitted with a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) – a mechanical pump that is currently keeping her alive.

This machine is doing the work her little heart can’t do anymore.

Aoife is now waiting for a life-saving heart transplant.

Every day is a challenge. Aoife is incredibly brave – she smiles through fear, needles, wires, machines, and long days away from home. Aoife will now remain at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle indefinitely while she awaits a Cardiac Heart Transplant. Due to the nature of Aoife's treatment plan, her parents JJ and Gràinne have had to relocate to Newcastle to stay by her side, doing everything they can do to keep her spirits strong. But the emotional strain is overwhelming. Travel, accommodation, time away from work, and ongoing medical needs all add up very quickly.

We are creating this GoFundMe to help support Aoife and her family as they wait for her new heart.

Your donation, no matter how small, will help them:

● Stay close to Aoife here in Newcastle

● Cover travel and accommodation costs

● Support life after transplant, including medication, recovery, and rehabilitation

● Give Aoife the comfort and stability she deserves during this frightening journey

● Any money raised that is not spent on Aoife's heart journey will be donated to Crumlin and Freemans hospital in Newcastle which both have been life savers for Aoife.

Aoife is a fighter. She is full of love, courage, and hope.

We believe in her. We believe in her future.

We just need to get her there.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for reading Aoife's story, sharing it, and supporting us in any way you can. Your kindness means more than you will ever know