A BOY described as a "true warrior" will undergo his third open heart surgery this year as a rare condition is putting his body into decline.

At just four years old, Lincoln Huyton has been through a lot as a concerning anatomy scan led to him having open heart surgery just four days after being born.

Doctors later informed the family that Lincoln has a complex and incredibly rare Congenital Heart Defect, where his heart is on the right-hand side of his body rather than the left.

He was also diagnosed with Heterotaxy Syndrome as he has been born with misplaced organs and without a spleen.

READ > Hairdresser ‘overwhelmed’ with recognition at national Hair and Beauty Awards

St Helens Star: Little Lincoln has a rare condition where his heart is on the opposite side of his bodyLittle Lincoln has a rare condition where his heart is on the opposite side of his body (Image: Tanya Huyton)

A regular patient at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Lincoln's condition has resulted in him experiencing heart failure, with his bodily functions not operating properly and his health deteriorating.

With a third open heart surgery planned to address this and improve his quality of life, mum Tanya says she is amazed at the strength of her little warrior.

St Helens Star: Tanya said she is amazed at the strength of Lincoln after what he has been throughTanya said she is amazed at the strength of Lincoln after what he has been through (Image: Tanya Huyton)

Tanya, from Fingerpost, said: "Lincoln is such a sweet, kind, and caring boy, and he has all the personality traits of his three brothers rolled into one.

"He's been through so much but he melts my heart because he just gets on with everything with a smile on his face.

"We see him as a blessing because we weren't sure if he was going to make the first heart surgery, but he's such a fighter and a true heart warrior.

"Every day he amazes me and I'm so proud of him and how his three older brothers are with him."

St Helens Star: Tanya said she is so proud of Lincoln and how his older brothers are with himTanya said she is so proud of Lincoln and how his older brothers are with him (Image: Tanya Huyton)

With doctors unable to give the family an accurate prediction of Lincoln's recovery from the surgery or his life expectancy, Tanya and the family have been raising awareness of congenital heart defects throughout February.

To show their gratitude to staff members at Alder Hey for their constant care and support, they have also been fundraising for the local children's hospice.

The month-long fundraising included educational activities at Parish C of E Nursery and Primary, with staff members even running a 10k and organising cake sales to raise as much money as possible.

In total, the school helped to raise £500 for Alder Hey, while a collection pot at Lincoln's dad's work raised an extra £40.

St Helens Star: Lincoln with his fundraising certificateLincoln with his fundraising certificate (Image: Tanya Huyton)

Tanya added: "Everyone at the nursery and school has gone above and beyond for us, and I really want to thank them for their fundraising and raising awareness of heart defects.

"We took the cheque into Alder Hey because without them Lincoln wouldn't be here, and this has really given him a boost and a way to look at the hospital more positively before his surgery."

St Helens Star: Lincoln Huyton with his mum, dad, and three older brothersLincoln Huyton with his mum, dad, and three older brothers (Image: Tanya Huyton)

To find out more about Congenital Heart Defects, visit this link.

To donate to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, you can do so via this link.