Blackwood boy, 7, running round like never before just six months after heart operation

Joshua Harris, seven, can now ride a bicycle and get on skates like other children.

But for the first six years of his life, the Blackwood lad suffered with a number of symptoms which prevented him taking part in such everyday fun.

Heart surgeons had to wait for years before he was strong enough to undergo the crucial operation and he finally had the procedure at Bristol Children’s Hospital in March.

Now, Joshua is enjoying numerous physical activities and the outdoors like never before.

To thank the hospital, his dad Brian, 29, is organising a 55-mile bike ride on Sunday [September 27].

About 50 friends, relatives and colleagues are expected to join the fundraiser for the cardiac ward of the hospital.

Joshua will join the ride too, called Joshua’s Journey, for the last few miles, finishing in Cardiff Bay.

Brian’s partner Claire Burgess, 38, of Twyn Gardens, Cefn Fforest, said: “Six months on from the operation you can see the difference in Joshua, he can run around without getting breathless, he's putting on weight and is generally a very active seven-year-old boy who can now join in with his friends doing everyday things kids do.”

Joshua stayed at the Bristol hospital for almost a week.

He missed lessons for about six weeks but still got homework from his school Cefn Fforest Primary.

He is due to go back to hospital for a check-up in November and if all goes well he will have a yearly check.

Ms Burgess thanked his surgeon Ragini Pandey describing her as an “angel”.

“We would especially like to thank from the bottom of our hearts the amazing surgeon that did Joshua's operation Ragini Pandey.

"Words cannot explain how thankful we are to this lovely lady, who has given Joshua the chance to live a long, healthy life.

"When all the money is collected we will then go to Bristol and give it to Ragini Pandey. In our eyes she’s an angel.”