'Inspirational' Derbyshire schoolgirl with serious heart condition steps out for unit which saved her life

Six-year-old Isabel Morris underwent life-saving open heart surgery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit when she was a baby and has been diagnosed with congenital heart disease with complex heart defects.

She is also battling severe autism and sensory processing disorder.

Despite these ongoing health concerns, Isabel has embarked on a fundraising challenge which will see her walking up to five miles a day to support the Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

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Mum Natalie Morris, of Creswell, says she is ‘immensely proud’ of Isabel.

“She’s an inspiration to others,” Nataie said. “She’s always got lots of energy to burn with a smile on her face. Despite having a complex heart condition, autism and sensory crocessing disorder, she’s been walking between three to four miles every day and on the odd day has done five!”

The walking challenge was initially set up by Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, but Isabel’s family decided go a step further and help raise funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, which support the unit and families in a similar position.

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Isabel’s school, Creswell Infant & Nursery, also raised £726 for the charity with a series of fundraising events in February.

Natalie said: “Isabel had life-saving open heart surgery in March 2014 and more surgery planned for the future, so we always do what we can.”

Children's Heart Surgery Fund’s says its mission is to make the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit a world class centre of excellence – ‘providing the funding and resources needed to care for a patient’s heart, mind, family and future’.

Isabel is expected to be under the care of the unit for the rest of her life, but at present her heart is ‘managing really well’.

Her family and cardiologist believes tis is partly due to Isabel keeping active.

For more information and to make a donation to support Isabel’s efforts, visit her fundraising page on Facebook.