Norfolk sisters gear up to raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital
Felicity and Florence are fundraising for the hospital that saved their lives
Two young sisters from Norfolk are preparing to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Felicity, 12, and younger sister Florence, 4, are aiming to fundraise funds for the hospital, which both children have got treatment from.
Older sister Felicity was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition when mum Louise was twenty weeks pregnant in 2011.
Not long after her birth she underwent heart surgery, aged two days old, which was unsuccessful.
But six months later, a second operation to help open Felicity's aorta was a success and ultimately saved her life.
Similarly, Florence was discovered to have heart problems whilst in the womb, with their local hospital spotting the issue when she was 17 weeks into her pregnancy in 2018.
After being transferred to Great Ormond Street, doctors at the children's infirmary closely monitored Florence's growth during her pregnancy.
Despite being born healthy, Florence had to go under the knife at the age of nine months, as doctors performed open heart surgery.
However, after a quick stay in cardiac intensive care unit, as well as being constantly monitored by nurses, Florence was able to leave hospital five days later.
Now, as a thank you to the hospital that saved their lives, the pair from Norwich are looking to raise vital funds to help other children going through similar life-changing operations.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio Norfolk, Florence opened up on how the hospital has helped her live her life.
"Great Ormond Street Hospital saved mine and my sisters' lives when we were very young. We were both under one year old because we were born with a congenital heart disease," she said.
"It has also helped me in multiple ways, because it helps me be active in everyday life. So I get to run around and play in the park with my friends, like a normal person would".
Felicity said she was excited to take part in the RBC Race for Kids, which will see kids run 5km around Hyde Park on October 7th.
The event will help to raise money which will go towards children's cancer care with a specific Cancer Centre being set up at the hospital.
She added that she has already become well-versed in fundraising and encouraged those who could donate to spare some money.
"I think that everything counts and it doesn't really matter what you donate, as long as you're there to support people," she explained.
"Not everyone finds it easy going through surgery, so all the money helps get medicine so people can get out of our situations".