Harley's big bandage cash boost for charity fund

And although the 11-year-old is sporting a bandage today, there's nothing to worry about.

For Harley is raising money for charity as a thank-you to the doctors and nurses who have helped him over the years.

When he was just five days old the youngster underwent life-saving surgery after it was discovered the arteries to his heart and lungs were the wrong way round.

The operation, called a transposition of the great arteries, is required for one in every 1,000 newborns.

Although the operation was a success, 11 years later Harley still needs treatment for a leaky heart valve.

And over the past two years he has also required extra care for a pulmonary vessel under his chest bone.

The two defects mean he is unable to take part in any contact sports.

But in an effort to give something back to the doctors and nurses who continually support him, the Market Drayton Junior School pupil is raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Today he is taking part in The Big Bandage Appeal which is being run by the hospital and supported by stars including boy band Union J.

To take part, fundraisers are required to either donate a pound or get sponsorship to wear a bandage throughout the day.

Harley has already raised £120.

His mum, Cathryn Beddis, said she is incredibly proud of her son.

"He wants to do something to give something back," she said.

"He only thought he'd be able to raise around £50, so to get over the £100 mark is amazing.

"He's a cheeky, boisterous little boy who has taken everything in his stride. He really has done incredibly well."

All money raised from The Big Bandage appeal will support the groundbreaking work at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Funds will be used to improve the facilities for the children treated there.

Mrs Beddis said: "On the first night of his life he was sleeping in an incubator because his temperature had dropped but suddenly he set off all the alarms – that is when the nurses knew there was something wrong."

Harley was then taken straight to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

His mother said: "He underwent an operation almost immediately, where the surgeons put a hole in his heart in order to get his circulation going.

"They then kept him stable and on the fifth day they completed the arterial switch.

"He then spent a week in intensive care and another week on a baby ward before I could take him home."

Ms Beddis said Harley has to be constantly aware of his condition as any heavy impact on his chest could have serious consequences.

She said: "He has swimming lessons and he wants to play tennis. But he is starting to show signs of being out of breath a bit more when compared to other children.

"I don't want to wrap him up in cotton wool too much.

"We are very lucky compared to some and that's what you have to think about at the end of the day."

Vikki Savery, Public Fundraising Manager for Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "We are extremely grateful to Harley for his efforts and we're really pleased to hear how well he is doing 11 years after his heart operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"The response that we have had for our summer fundraising campaign The BIG Bandage has been overwhelming.

"Fifteen thousand people from across the Midlands will be getting dressed up in dressings for the day and we hope to raise in excess of £25,000."