Stotfold family needs donations to make five-year-old’s dreams come true
Thomas Hartwell from Stotfold was born with a number of health issues, including heart problems. Picture: Lisa Titmus - Credit: Archant
A Stotfold family are fundraising so they can make their son and brother’s wishes come true after doctors tell them they cannot go ahead with an operation that would save his life.
Thomas underwent heart surgery as a newborn baby. Picture: Lisa Titmus - Credit: Archant
Thomas Hartwell was born with a number of conditions, including laterality disorder, unbalanced AVSD, severe pulmonary valve stenosis and intrinsic lung disease.
The five-year-old also has a double outlet ventricle with anterior aorta – meaning that the pulmonary artery and the aorta both connect to the right ventricle of his heart, instead of having one either side.
When he was three months old, Thomas underwent a heart procedure called hemi-Fontan, a preparatory surgery which helps to correct this.
But after being told he won’t be able to have further surgery, mum Lisa Titmus and dad Peter Hartwell are trying to do everything they can to make his wishes come true.
Thomas' brothers and sisters have also been getting invovled in fundraising to make his wishes come true. Picture: Lisa Titmus - Credit: Archant
Lisa told the Comet: “Two weeks ago we were told he had high pressure on his pulmonary arteries, and that he can’t have the next stage of surgery.
“He also has a hole in the main valve of his heart. They said every birthday from now is a bonus.
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“As a family we are trying to get the donations to make his wishes come true – he really wants to go to Disneyland Paris and go on a hot air balloon.
“It’s very hard for us, and I’m just trying to make his wishes come true. He can’t fly because of the oxygen levels, so we’re going to bring Disneyland to him.
“My older children understand what’s going on, they’re telling their friends that their brother is not very well and might not be here.
“They’re finding it quite hard, but really want us help make his dreams come true. They decided to do a toy sale outside the Co-op in Stotfold on Saturday to raise some money.
“We don’t want Thomas knowing too much, but he obviously knows he’s not very well. He needs to use a wheelchair because every time he walks he turns blue because of his heart condition. We just need help with donations.”
Thomas’ siblings – Charlie, Tia, Amelia, Annaleigh and Harrison – raised £276 during their toy sale on Saturday.
In order to raise the needed funds to make Thomas’ wishes a reality, Lisa has organised a ‘Light the Night’ glow walk event in Stotfold’s Etonbury Woods next Friday, September 28.
Participants are asked to meet at the Fox and Duck in Arlesey Road for a 6pm start. Entry will be £2.
To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cassandra-byrne.
