THE mum of a Worcester boy with serious heart problems has smashed her fund-raising target but she has no intention of stopping.

Vicky Watson started off trying to raise £1,000 for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Heart Appeal but through the generosity of friends, neighbours and colleagues she has collected £5,155.

The money she has raised will help build a new hybrid cardiac theatre which will help cut waiting and recovery times for children needing surgery for heart defects.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the cardiac unit in particular are familiar to Mrs Watson and her family, who live in Rushwick, near Worcester, because youngest son George has already undergone several operations there.

“We did not know he had a heart condition before he was born; it was only after the 10 -day check up when they said they could hear a murmur,” said Mrs Watson.

“The Birmingham consultant came down to check George and our worst fears were realised when he said he had a hole in his heart.”

Luckily for George his heart problem, called Fallot’s tetralogy, can be fixed but it has meant he has had to have major surgery five times already, including on his fourth birthday.

His most recent operation took place in November last year but the plucky four-year-old was back at Rushwick Primary School in just over a month.

His quick recovery and the fact he has no apparent fear of hospitals is credit to the hospital and their staff, according to Mrs Watson, who said: “I cannot praise the staff up there enough for the care and time they have put in.”

Mrs Watson, who decided to get involved with fund-raising for their appeal last year, started with an idea to do an abseil with a small group of friends.

Then Mrs Watson’s boys’ barber, who was already taking part in the Great North Run, decided to fund-raise for the heart appeal too.

There was also a cake sale at County Hall, where Mrs Watson works, which raised £500, not to mention the winnings from the staff Christmas quiz which were also donated.

“I never anticipated raising this much,” said Mrs Watson.

“It is so heartwarming. Without even asking people offer.”

Mrs Watson has also been surprised at how many people have experienced similar problems whether it is their children, another member of their family or someone they happen to know.

“I think once something like this touches your life every time you hear of another case it just brings it all back,” she said. “As a parent you feel so helpless.

“Now through fund-raising and being able to support the hospital I feel I have found a way I can help.”

l Mrs Watson is appealing for readers to join her and Help Mend Broken Hearts This Valentine’s Day by making a donation to George’s heart appeal at justgiving. com/vwatson.