In March 2008 we welcomed Emilia into the world. A beautiful second daughter for us and a sister for Freya. We thought that we had an angel child, she slept through and barely cried. Little did we know that this, along with her struggling to feed were all symptoms of her underlying health problems.

Emilia was 3 weeks old when we were advised, by a midwife, to get her checked over by the paediatrician's at hospital, as she thought that Emilia's skin tone was pale and that she may be anaemic.

Within 30 minutes of arriving at hospital Emilia was moved into resus, where following chest x-rays, ECG's and blood tests, we were told that she had major problems with her heart and would need surgery to save her life. 

Within hours we were transferred via ambulance to Bristol Children's Hospital (Ward 32), where further tests were carried out throughout the night. These tests confirmed that Emilia had a congenital heart defect known as 'Transposition of the Great Arteries' (TGA).

Three days later we left our daughter in the hands of Massimo Caputo (heart surgeon) and his team.

6.5hours later we returned to PICU to meet Emilia after her surgery for her arterial switch and ASD repair. She was pink at last!!

The care that Emilia received whilst on PICU and indeed throuthout her stay at BCH was incredible.

The dedication of the staff was unbelieveable and we cannot explain just how much their care, support and understanding meant to us. We will be eternally grateful.

Nearly two years on and Emilia is now a happy and lively little girl, without a care in the world! To anyone who doesn't know what she has been through she looks just like any other toddler!

During the three weeks that we spent in Bristol with Emilia we decided that we wanted to raise some money for this amazing hospital - to give something back.

We want to raise as much as possible for the 'Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal', where we have asked that any money we raise be split between Ward 32 (Cardiac ward) and PICU.

What are we going to do to get you to donate some money??? 

We are cycling from our home in Newton Abbot, Devon to Bristol Childrens Hospital, a total of 92 miles over the 5th and 6th June 2010. We will be joined on this challenge by 3 other cyclists and 4 travelling by foot. For those of you who know us, you will know that this will be no mean feat!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, please, please support us - and dig deep! 

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So please dig deep and donate now.