Shrewsbury heart ops teenager raising funds for children's hospital

Last Sunday, Annabel Walker walked seven and a half miles from her home in the town to Adcote School, where her dad works as a bursar, to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The 17-year-old underwent her first eight-hour surgery when she was just 10-months-old and had to have two further operations because of complications from her congenital heart condition which saw born with a hole in her heat and a thickening of the wall of the heart.

She said: "I want to say thank to to Ward 12 at Birmingham Children's Hospital for looking after me, as it will be my last visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital on December 8, before I get moved to adult care.

"I am moving on from the hospital I love so much. I am still alive because of the doctors, nurses and surgeons there. It's all thanks to them for making my heart big and strong."

Annabel's most recent operation was in January this year.

"I was very ill after this operation," she added. "When I woke up from surgery, I couldn't move or walk, stand or talk. The nurses and doctors looked after me so well. I just want to say thank you.

"I would be very happy if you could help me raise money for the hospital by sponsoring me to do my walk from my house in Shrewsbury to my dad's work at Adcote School. Thank you in advance for helping me support Birmingham Children's Hospital."

She has set a fundraising target of £500 and is close to hitting it.

Annabel's proud dad, Richard, added: "Annabel has had her struggles in life. She is a beautiful girl and we are very proud of her. It would mean the world to her if people took the time to support her. Seven miles is not a big distance, but Annabel came up with this all by herself and for her, it is a very clear message of thanks to the hospital for the excellent care she has received."

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/annabelwalker7