Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page to raise money for a charity that has helped Grace. At the age of 3, Grace has recently undergone her third open heart surgery. We would love to raise money to support the charities that have helped this amazing little girl and her family.

For more details of the charity crochet blanket we are putting together, and to find out how to help make a square, visit www.lottieandalbert.blogspot.com and the Instagram account @littleheartsforgrace

Here is a little more of Grace' story, as told by her parents, Ben and Jo:

"It was at our 20week scan that we found out Grace had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS);half a working heart. A scan that we thought would be routine turned intoupset, uncertainty and changed our outlook on life forever.

After struggling toget pregnant and undergoing two IVF cycles, it was in April 2013 when we foundout that Jo was pregnant, and we were delighted. The pregnancy progressed welluntil the 20 week scan where we were told that the baby was in the wrongposition for them to see the heart clearly. We were referred to a specialist inGloucester two weeks later.  

At that secondappointment, the doctor told us that one of our baby’s heart chambers wasmissing and explained she had a condition called HLHS. At this point we were intotal shock; we had never heard of this before and couldn’t believe this washappening to us. We were told we would be referred to Bristol Children’shospital for an official diagnosis three days later.

With support fromfriends, family and from people we were put in touch with that also hadchildren with HLHS, the remainder of the pregnancy carried on relativelysmoothly. We knew we had a mountain to climb once Grace was born, we knew wewould be in hospital for several weeks and that Grace would have to undertaketwo open heart surgeries within the first few months of her life. Grace wasborn on 1^st January 2014, the best New Year’s present we couldhave wished for. Four days later she had her Norwood (an open heart operation)and finally at the end of January we took her home for the first time.

Spending that monthin hospital and the subsequent help and support we have received from so manyfabulous people and organisations, left us with an overwhelming urge to try andgive something back. We decided that each year we should do at least onefundraising event, and to try do something different each time and to directthe funds back to those that help us and other families going through similartraumatic experiences.

When we werediagnosed we were told that Grace's condition was treatable but not curable. Shewould have to have 3 operations with a 60 percent chance she would survive allthree. She has had two open heart surgeries and is due her third at the end of2017. We were offered a termination but had no doubt in our minds we wanted togive her every chance and would continue the pregnancy.  Over the 3operations her heart will be handmade to supply blood directly to her lungs andthe right ventricle will supply blood to her body. Normally the left ventriclewould do this and therefore her heart will always be working a lot harder. Shewill always get more tired as her oxygen levels are lower.  Grace willalways have to take medication to support her heart and make it easier to work,we have to try and make sure she doesn’t get to cold\hot etc as this can makeit harder for her heart.

But aside from allthis Grace is a normal little girl and to look at you would never know what shehas been though. Having been through this it makes you realise how resilientand strong these kids are and it makes you cherish every day making the most oflife.

Little Hearts Matter has been there for help, support and guidance ever since we found out that Grace has half a heart ... we are determined to help continue raising money for LHM."

Visit http://heartlog.tumblr.com/post/143123235170/lhm-has-been-there-for-help-support-and-guidance to read more about Grace's family's fundraising, and to find out more about this wonderful charity.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.