A NINE-month old girl who was born with only half a heart has inspired a village to dedicate its summer fete to her cause.
Jesse-Renee Stanley from Rugby has a condition called Hypo Pastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has spent more time on the operating table than most people will in their entire lives.
Her daily battle with the condition has moved organisers of the Long Lawford Summer Fete to dedicate their event – which takes place on Saturday (July 18) – to a charity set up in her name.
Mum Jodie Farrell said: “Jesse-Renee is such a happy and smiley little girl, no matter what is being done. She always cracks a smile which just melts my heart.”
She explained how Jesse-Renee underwent her first bout of open heart surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital when she was just 15 hours old.
Since then, Jesse-Renee has had four open heart surgeries and two keyhole surgeries, and has been fitted with a pacemaker.
Jodie added: “She has been in hospital altogether six and half months of her life, and will spend further time in hospital but we don’t know when.
“Since this has happened I’ve being setting up a charity in Jesse-Renee’s name, so as a family we can offer support and financial assistance to other families that suffer when in and out of hospital with a child with Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome.
“Also the charity will help Ward 11 and Ward 12 at Birmingham Children’s Hospital with equipment that is needed to make it easier to treat children.”
Currently, Jesse-Renee – who also has an Eddie Stobart lorry named after her – is at home but still battles everyday with her condition.
The village fete takes place at Long Lawford playing field from 11am-4pm on Saturday (July 18).
There will be three charity boxing matches, a performance from Impact Dance, a beer tent, a barbecue, raffle, stalls, rides, fete games, football coaching and archery.
The Jesse-Renee Charity will also have a stall where people can buy #teamjesse wristbands, keyrings and fridge magnets.
