This is Finley James Livingstone - born August 2025.

At our 20-week anatomy scan, we received the difficult news that Finley had a rare congenital heart condition. He was eventually diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia (Fallot type & an overriding aorta), along with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). These conditions mean that Finley will face open-heart surgeries throughout his life.

During pregnancy, we chose to raise money for CHUF (Children’s Heart Unit Fund). This incredible charity provides vital equipment, groundbreaking research, and much-needed support for children living with heart conditions & their families, (particularly those cared for on Ward 23 at the Freeman Hospital and across the North East.)

With the support of our family and friends, we organised a sponsored walk along the North East coastline and held fundraising activities at our baby shower. Every step and every contribution was made with Finley in mind, and with the hope of supporting other families walking a similar path.

Finley arrived two weeks early and was born at the RVI, before being transferred to the Freeman Hospital to begin treatment. At just four days old, our brave little boy underwent surgery. The level of care he has received so far has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the support we, as Finley’s parents, have been given during such a challenging time has been truly invaluable. Despite such a difficult start, Finley has shown remarkable strength, and we couldn’t be prouder of the fight and resilience he has already displayed.

Thanks to the incredible support of CHUF, we are able to bring Finley home with the specialist equipment and training we need before his major repair surgery. We are deeply grateful for the chance to spend this precious time at home with our son as we prepare for the next stage of his journey.

We are so thankful to everyone who has donated and shared our story. It means the world to us to see the love and support surrounding Finley. We are incredibly proud that, even at the very start of his journey, he has already helped make a difference for such an important charity.

"Children's Heart Unit Funds supports children and families who receive treatment at the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital, as well as other District General Hospitals, providing care for cardiac patients throughout the North of England. The Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital is one of the world’s leading specialist centres for Children and babies born with, or who develop heart conditions. The unit is one of just two in the UK that has the facilites and skills to offer paediatric transplant and bridge to transplant operations. As a result, the Children’s Heart Unit treats critically ill babies and children from across the UK."