Poppy’s Horsepower Run for Hearts

Story

Children’s Heartbeat Trust has been working since 1984 to provide practical, emotional and financial support to children and young people living with heart disease and their families. We offer youth and family support services, we fund research and we campaign for the voice of children, young people and their families to be at the heart of all congenital cardiac services. Hi Everyone, As some of you may know our beautiful baby girl Poppy was unexpectedly diagnosed with 3 life threatening congenital heart defects (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Vein Connections, a severe Atrial Septal Defect and Patent Ductus Arteriosus) at just 4 weeks old at a routine hospital appointment That is when the chaos began… Poppy was then rushed to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children where unfortunately her health declined. Thankfully she picked up and was able to move to the children’s cardiology ward, Clark Clinic for the wait for life saving open heart surgery in Dublin. Unfortunately due to the winter illnesses, all the hospitals were in overdrive and we had to sit tight for a date for surgery. During the wait, there was many tears and laughs! Then we finally got a date! We were transferred down to Dublin on Sunday 22nd December for surgery first thing Monday morning. However that is not how it worked out. Due to other emergencies and not enough ICU beds, Poppy’s surgery was cancelled 3 times. During which her health began to decline rather quickly and at times we were not sure how things were going to work out as she was on maximum support and still deteriorating. We then finally got to make the walk down to theatre on Monday 30th December. It was truly the longest and scariest walk we will ever do. The thought of the unknown and all the risks racing through our heads ❤️ After 2 weeks in Dublin we got back to Clark Clinic for the weekend before getting discharged home for the rest of Poppy’s recovery and for life as a family of 3 to begin! During our time in hospital, The Children’s Heartbeat Trust were by our sides through it all! They offered so much help not only to Jamie and I but to the extended family. They offer different types of support such as emotional, financial etc. They even have parent accommodation in hospital which is solely based on public donation to upkeep! Even after Poppy was discharged home, they continued to reach out and offer support and to check up on us! ❤️‍ As a family, we thought it was time for us to give back to such an amazing charity! We are pleased to announce that we will be having a tractor & car run in aid of this amazing charity. The event will take place at Drumcree Parish Church and will be fun for all the family. Make sure to like this page to keep an eye out on all things horsepower run! Can’t wait to see you all there!! Feel free to contact any member of family for any questions or queries! Jamie, Abbie & Poppy ❤️‍