Families came together to support a charity that helps a children’s heart unit at a Warsash pub’s fun day event.
Libbie Maddock gets a transfer tattoo
The Silver Fern pub in Warsash Road organised the day in aid of the Families of Ocean Ward charity, which is run by a Locks Heath mother.
Sam Prior, chair and trustee, created the charity because her son Aaron has undergone lifesaving heart operations at the ward at Southampton General Hospital.
He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means that he is missing the left ventricle muscle that pumps oxygenated blood around his body.
Aaron, 11, underwent major heart surgery at four days old he and has had a number of other procedures since. He is expecting to have a transplant at some point in the future when his heart grows further.
The charity provides emotional and financial support to the families making use of the facilities on Ocean Ward. It funds items like TVs, games consoles for the children, runs Christmas parties and takes the families on trips to Paulton’s Park.
“It’s to support the families and it’s to make sure the kids are having support in hospital,” said Aaron, of Elder Close in Locks Heath.
“This is one of those events where families can come along, have fun and it’s not that expensive and the money goes to Ocean Ward.”
Sam added: “It’s the small charities that struggle because they’re not as well known. It’s lovely when things like this happen, we need these families to support us. Sharon and Gary and the staff have set this up, which is great because running the charity it’s nice when others run the events too.
“It’s really hard work. It’s brilliant and we’ve been well supported. It’s going really well. The weather has perked up.”
The event on Sunday (August 25) included bouncy castles, balloon art, barbecue and transfer tattoos, games, biscuit decorating, nail painting and tombolas.
See our film of the events at the Silver Fern
Some people came from as far as Salisbury and Nottingham to support the cause.
Jo and Barry Diaper came from Salisbury with their son Oliver, 11, who has been treated by the ward for congenitally ventricle swapped correction position – where the arteries are in swapped position meaning blood cannot be transferred correctly while pumping around the body. He was also fitted with a pacemaker.
Oliver said his condition does not affect him too much and enjoys playing football. He said: “I have to go at my own pace. I can’t really take too much damage if it’s around my chest and stomach or it will really ache. But that’s the only way it affects me.
“The money will provide better facilities on the ward.”
Little 18-month-old Hope Dempsy, from Swanwick, enjoyed bouncing on the inflatables. She has ebsteins anomaly, a condition where he tricuspid valve did not form properly meaning the left hand side of her heart does not pump blood and oxygen efficiently.
Her mum Leanne said the family came to the event to support the charity work: “It’s good they support the whole family and not just the heart child.
“We found out about Hope’s condition at the 20 week pregnancy scan. We didn’t know if she was going to survive nor did they in intensive care. Doctors didn’t think she was going to survive. She had an operation just a few hours old. So far she’s proved us all wrong.”
Charles Stewart, nine, was another child helping out at the sweet stall at the event with mum Sharon and dad Winston. Charles was born with fallots where he had different problems with his heart – a ventricle defect, pulmonary obstruction and a problem with a valve and it was difficult for air to get to the heart, making it swell and oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood mixing.
“He had surgery at six months old,” said Sharon from Sarisbury Green. “He had the obstruction removed and the wall repaired on the valve. He’s doing really well now. In the future as the heart grows, there could be more complications with the valve and the possibility he may need a pacemaker.”
Sharon Brown, manager of the pub, said: “I love days like today where the whole community can come together and have some fun. It’s an opportunity for the staff to get involved too. It’s nice to be able to support a local charity.”
