Shrewsbury's Noah battles back after heart operation
Little Noah Hole is on the road to recovery after undergoing open heart surgery.
The three-year-old, who has an enlarged heart, had the surgery at Birmingham Children's Hospital. He had already spent the first four months of his life in the hospital when he was born five weeks prematurely.
A potentially fatal low platelet count and a bleed on his brain was discovered at birth but the born battler is doing well after his latest operation.
Family and friends have been so impressed with his care they have raised more than £5,000 for the hospital – and hope to double that total by hosting a charity ball.
Mother Jodi Hole, 25, of Monkmoor in Shrewsbury, said: "Everything went fine. It all went really well. The surgeons said it was a good thing he had the surgery when he did.
"I cried the whole time Noah was in theatre. I didn't sleep for the first two days. I couldn't rest."
Noah had a build-up of fluid on his lung, which caused it to partially collapse, after surgery.
Mrs Hole said: "He has lost quite a lot of weight but even though he's really skinny he is adamant about walking. This last 24 hours he's started giggling again and seems like his old self."
As a baby Noah was discharged from hospital at four months old but had to return to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital every other day for a transfusion. Mr and Mrs Hole were told Noah would be blind, deaf and unable to move but he defied all the odds.
Mrs Hole said spending more time in the children's hospital had made her even more determined to continue fundraising.
She said: "The staff are incredible, just amazing. The amount who run in so quickly when needed is amazing. They're so nice too.
"They're just unreal and I honestly can't fault them. They chat away to Noah rather than just doing their job then leaving.
"So I'm so glad that we've raised that money to help."
Noah was also mascot for Shrewsbury Town Football Club on April 16 for their match against Bradford City.
Mrs Hole said: "It was a bit daunting for him and he didn't really understand it. He just kept picking up the ball and running off with it but it'll be something nice to show him when he's older."
The family's next fundraiser will be a charity ball, raffle and auction at Shrewsbury Town
on June 3, from 7.30pm. For tickets costing £20 visit www.justgiving.com/NoahMarkHole
