We had our elfs a merry little Christmas-light switch on this Wednesday with our annual switch-on event at Alder Hey.
The entertainment shone bright with cracker performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Knotty Ash Primary School Signing Choir, music and poetry from musical theatre youth group 20 stories and our youth forum and singer Bethany Webster.
Santa even sled in to say Ho Ho Ho to our children and young people and spark off the festive season.
“What a fantastic event. A big thank you to all our partners who made today possible. I’m incredibly proud of our staff who have once again have gone above and beyond to ensure that the festive period at Alder Hey is special for all the children and young people who attend Alder Hey regularly or may not be able to go home during this time.”
Our new Chief Executive Officer, John Grinnell
Local presenters Jay Hynd and Gemma Cutting hosted the event and introduced us to 8 year old George and his family. George did the honour of switching on our lights and his story is quite remarkable.
When George was just two years old, he was diagnosed with a very rare heart condition called Large Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm, found in less than 0.09% of the population. Although this condition often has no symptoms, it can lead to serious life-threatening complications. George needed complex and life-saving heart surgery. His diagnosis and surgery at such a young age is very unique worldwide.
Mr. Rafael Guerrero, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Director of the Heart Centre at Alder Hey joined the family at the event and said:“George’s condition is extremely rare, even more so in children of this age. In George’s case he had serious symptoms due to the huge size of the “bulge” or aneurysm; but thanks to his parents who brought him to medical attention he received prompt treatment.
The surgery was extremely complex and high risk; requiring careful planning to safely remove the giant aneurysm and reconstruct the Aorta. This involved open heart surgery and stopping the heart for some time to allow the repair of the internal part of the heart and the malformation as well as relieving the compression of the surrounding organs.
Thanks to our brilliant team the operation was a success, everything went well and he was discharged home within a few days”
Thankfully George made an amazing recovery and now 6 years later, he is thriving, he loves playing football and has really enjoyed raising money for the hospital that saved his life through Alder Hey Charity’s Miles for Smiles challenge!
You can read more about George’s story here:
George said “I was really excited and proud to turn the lights-on at Alder Hey today.”
The event was live streamed so that our children and young people who weren’t able to come down from the wards could still watch it in their rooms.
Thank you to our sponsors
• Vercity Group
• Flex
• Warwick Developments
• Axis Entrances
• Certas Energy
• Cavendish Rentals
• Aimia Foods
Additional thanks to…
We’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped us to make this day special including:
- Jay Hynd and Gemma Cutting
- Mini Madams
- The Royal Philharmonic
- The Alder Hey Youth Forum
- 20 Stories High
- Knotty Ash Signing Choir
- Bethany Webster
- George and Family
If you missed the event, you can watch it back on our YouTube channel now!
Watch back now