A CHARITY made up of parents whose children who have suffered from heart conditions have funded a camp in India where surgeons saved nine children’s lives.
Team 1C, which is made up of parents of youngsters who have had heart treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital do a lot to help hospitals across the UK and other patients with children in hospital.
One of the founders of Team 1C is Claire Cathcart from Moss Bank, who helped form the charity after meeting others in the same position as her family as her son Jake, now eight, was born with complicated heart conditions.
Their fundraising has also helped support camps abroad where medical surgeons and staff have saved the lives of 200 children.
However last week another camp in India, this time by The Smiling Hearts Foundation led by Jake’s surgeon Nagarajan Muthialu saved nine children’s lives.
The camp is named Ollie’s camp in memory of a Team 1C member – Oliver Alderson – from Blackpool who died last year aged 18.
Mum-of-two Claire, 43, said: “With all having had children have life saving surgery in this country by amazing surgeons, it’s hard to get my head around or even imagine that other children elsewhere in the world cannot afford to have treatment.
“It is a lot of money, but all our fundraising goes to make a different and Ollie’s camp saved nine lives in his memory – what a legacy to have.
“Also, Jake’s surgeon who carried out his heart transplant and operated on him as a baby is literally the reason Jake is here with us today, there is no way to repay that, but this felt the best way to give back by helping him to help others.”
To donate to Team 1C, go to justgiving.com/team-1c
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here