Seven-year-old Grimsby boy helping fundraise for heart charity
Reggie has a life-changing heart condition, and is helping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Last updated 7th Sep 2023
Seven-year-old Reggie was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, in which the left ventricle of the heart is not fully developed. As he continues palliative treatment for his condition, Reggie has stepped up to back a campaign to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
He helped launch Lincolnshire FA's new 50 for 50 campaign on 6 September, asking 50 Lincolnshire FA clubs to donate at least £50 for the heart charity, and raising awareness of hidden heart conditions, such as his own.
Michelle, Reggie's mum said: "Without the medicine there wouldn't have been any treatment for him so we would've had to take him home, give him comfort care and watch him pass away in his own time.
Reggie's condition left him needing several rounds of surgery, from when he was just days old to March 2023. That most recent surgery caused several strokes which left him partially sighted and with a weakness in his left side.
Despite those complications, Reggie is still able to enjoy his greatest passion: football. The young Grimsby Town supporter now plays with the Comets, an inclusive football club for disabled children.
Michelle said: "If it wasn't for football I don't think Reggie would've got through these strokes as well as he did. We'd still have him, but football is what's got him to where he is now."
Along with football, British Heart Foundation research has helped Reggie to continue having a good quality of life. Surgeries and treatments that he has received would not have been available several decades ago.
Melanie Meik from the British Heart Foundation said: "How do you put a price on seven years of life that previously if research wasn't done wouldn't be there, and the joy this family have, and Michelle being able to put Reggie to bed every night?
"Looking at this now seven-year-old child running around laughing and dancing... how do you put a price on that?"
Reggie's treatment is palliative, meaning he may need further treatment in the future. People with his condition are often given heart transplants, but this might not be possible for Reggie due to his risk of stroke. Despite an uncertain prognosis, Reggie is doing well at the moment, is enjoying playing football and has just started the new school year.
Michelle said: "We were given a lifespan of late teenage years when he was born but I just feel he's going to kick that. It's just a case of enjoying every single day and making the most wonderful and precious memories with him."