Ramp Up the Red for heart charity

Maxine Anderson-Drury of Third Avenue joined many other people across the region and the country for the heart charity’s latest fundraiser.

But for the Clipstone nana the charity has special significance as her three year-old grandaughter was born with a heart defect and had to undergo life-saving treatment at just eight days old.

“I had a perfect pregnancy with no problems at all and the birth was fine,” explains Maxine’s daughter Mena Clancy, 20. “Enya was fine and we went home as normal but after eight days, her hand swelled up and I so I took her to the doctors.”

A frantic emergency situation then ensued as an ambulance was called and rushed the family to King’s Mill Hospital.

“We had blue lights flashing and they said she was dying,” remembers Maxine. “It was terrifying.

“They transferred her to Alder Hey almost immediately and that’s where they diagnosed her with transposition of the great arteries (TGA),” added Mena who is now expecting her second child.

TGA is a rare congenital heart defect where the “great” arteries are reversed in their origins from the heart.

“Enya’s condition was corrected with life-saving surgeryand she is now a happy and healthy three year old,” added Maxine. “It is a blessing that she is here and I just want to get the message across that it’s not all doom and gloom regarding heart conditions.”

So when the family heard about this latest fundraising drive they wanted to offer their support.

“I dressed up and collected money through work, at Enya’s school- Samuel Barlow and when people heard what I was doing through friends,family and Facebook they have just dropped off money and filled my bag. The support has been wonderful.”

Maxine has collected £149 so far but is hoping to boost this further before the campaign ends on Friday.

“I’d like to thanks everyone for their support from the bags of coins given by Enya’s nursery friends to the sponsorship from colleagues, friends, family and neighbours.”