A TENACIOUS Bromsgrove youngster will take on the 3k Mud Kids run to raise funds for the hospital which saved his life.
Blake Miller was born in July 2014 with his heart effectively ‘back-to-front’.
He was under 6lbs and had a catalogue of cardio problems, including transposition of the great arteries, atrial septal defect and a ventricular septal defect.
He underwent life-saving open heart surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) to switch his main arteries around and repair the two holes in his heart.
When he was discharged he contracted pneumonia and then he had bronchitis.
Mum Kelly James said: “He spent most of his first year at the BCH – he would be in three months, then out for three months and then back again.
“Everyone there was absolutely amazing – it’s such a brilliant hospital.”
Four years later, Blake has started at Meadows First School and is now thriving.
He will have to go for annual check-ups to ensure everything is as it should be but is otherwise fine.
Kelly said he was relishing taking on the run to help those who saved him.
“He has come so far from where he was when we held him in our arms for the first time.
“He’s our little miracle and it’s all thanks to the Children’s.
“He is so excited about doing the Mud Kids run and this is our way of giving something back.”
The family has set a target of £500 and has already surpassed that.
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/kellyandblake to sponsor Blake and boost the coffers further.
Kelly added: “There is not a single word that will ever describe just how utterly amazing this hospital is.
“That’s why Blake and our family would like to raise as much money as possible to help this fabulous hospital and all the other children and parents who need its help and support in the future.”
