A family fun day is taking place to raise cash for the charity that supported an Ollerton girl who underwent open-heart surgery.

The event will take place on Saturday (July 25) at The Ollerton Scout and Guide Activity Centre in Back Lane to mark the eighth anniversary of Luna-Annie Dudley’s surgery to repair two holes in her heart.

All money raised on the day will go to Heart Link, a charity who work to enhance facilities for young patients dealing with heart conditions and their families, as well as giving much-needed quality medical equipment.

The charity provide equipment and facilities at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where Luna-Annie, now aged eight, had her operation.

Proud mum Samantha Dudley and daughter Luna-Annie, are set to host a family fun day to raise cash for the charity that helped them following the youngster's open-heart surgery

placeholder image — Proud mum Samantha Dudley and daughter Luna-Annie, are set to host a family fun day to raise cash for the charity that helped them following the youngster's open-heart surgery

Luna-Annie was just eight months old when she underwent a grueling six hour operation to repair two holes in her heart.

Mum Samantha Dudley who has organised several charity fundraisers over the years said: “We had so much support and this is our way of giving something back.

"Luna-Annie has bounced back so well and taken it all in her stride, she’s very sassy and very loveable, always giving you a hug. She is so excited for the event, it’s going to be epic and we hope as many people as possible come along and support it.”

It was a tough time for the family of Lime Tree Road, Ollerton, when Luna-Annie was found to have two holes in her heart when she was a baby.

Luna-Annie's family have arranged the charity event to give something back to support the charity that helped them through her open-heart surgery

Samantha, aged 33, said: “When she was born we didn't have any idea but she struggled to feed, never really cried and made little noises like a seal – I had taken her back and forth to the doctor but they said there was nothing wrong. It wasn’t until a health visitor came over and said something is not right.

"The next thing we were in hospital surrounded by machines and they discovered she had two holes in her heart.”

The family then endured a stressful few months of navigating feeding tubes and an anxious wait for surgery.

Recalling the day of the operation Samantha said: “Luna-Annie was looking at me as walked out of the room and that was the worst feeling ever, thinking I was leaving my baby in a room full of strangers to undergo this massive operation, when I left the room I just broke down."

Thankfully the operation went well and Luna-Annie has faced her medical struggles over the years with bravery and determination.

The event on Saturday (July 25) will take place at The Ollerton Scout and Guide Activity Centre 12pm to 5pm and feature stalls, characters, bouncy castle, disco, Zumba, raffles, fire engine, motorbikes and much more.