In 2021 I got the amazing news that I was to become an uncle of not just one new niece but two! That’s right my wife’s amazing brother and sister in law were pregnant with twins ! In November 2021 the family got the exciting news that it was now time for us to meet the latest members of our family, Esmae and Heidi !

However after a few care free months all our joy turned to concern for poor little Heidi. Sadly her parents could tell something wasn’t quite right and thought it best to get her checked.

This is Heidi’s story………

“Hi I’m Heidi and I’m now 2 years old, and boy has it been a very busy 2 years so far…

When I was 5 months old, my mummy and daddy took me to the hospital and the nice doctor people took some photographs of my brain as they though i might be poorly.

They found out I had a large amount of fluid on my brain something they called Hydrocephalus. This was because I had been born with abnormal connections between my arteries and veins in my brain this is called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).

This sadly meant that those clever doctor peoples had to do some complicated cutting and sticking.(2 brain surgeries). One of these was to install a small automatic valve and iddy biddy tube in my brain so that excess fluid can drain from my brain into my stomach. The second surgery was to block off that naughty AVM.

This was a very scary time for mommy and daddy especially when I developed a clot after my second surgery, but I’m now recovering well.

Sadly from here on out my everyday life is going to be a little tricky and I will need the ongoing support of the super hero’s at Alder Hey Hospital.

I was very well looked after by the lovely doctors and nurses at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and will soon be back again as I have ongoing appointments regarding my next surgery soon.

My family and I are eternally grateful to everyone at Alder Hey Hospital and we want to say a big thank you.

So I’ve had a fab ideas I’m gonna send my uncle Steve off on an adventure! Uncle Steve and his friends are doing the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for Alder Hey. This will help other children like me get the help they need and a much needed second chance at a life that they deserve !

Uncle Steve is very unhealthy but I’m sure he can do it right ?

Anyway if you can spare a few pennies I’m sure this would give him the motivation to power through!

Thank you all so much !”