Firefighters help boy battling heart defect to celebrate festive season
A Four-year-old boy who has a rare heart defect has been welcomed by firefighters at his local community fire station to help celebrate his first Christmas out of hospital since 2019.
Lennie Eyre, from Winshill, was joined by his mum Laura, dad Kelvin and his three siblings on the visit to Burton station.
It was the first time the toddler had been able to go out and about since being discharged from hospital in October.
Lennie, who has a condition called CCTGA where the lower part of his heart is reversed, underwent open-heart surgery when he was four months old, then an 11-hour surgery when he was 18 months.
Most recently, Lennie was in hospital undergoing an operation to replace an internal medical tube, when medics said he could return home for Christmas.
That’s when mum Laura jumped into action. She said: “Lennie is fire engine mad, so I was thinking of what we could do to make his time out of hospital really special – that’s when I contacted the team at Burton station.”
Fire crews pulled out all the stops to make Lennie’s covid-safe visit super special. Laura added: “Lennie was given a little fire fighter uniform and had some time in the fire engine, though his favourite bit was having a go with the hose!
“He was so happy with the experience that when I tucked him into bed that evening, he asked ‘Can we go again tomorrow?’
“Lennie is just like any fouryear-old, bouncing around with a smile on his face, and that day certainly made him smile.”
Lennie was also issued with a special framed certificate during his visit to remember his special day.
Fire fighter Lisa Morgan said: “It was very emotional to meet Lennie and I’m so pleased he had such a good time, he was so full of energy it was a joy to meet him.”
Watch Manager Jon Crew, added: “We were so pleased to be able to welcome little Lennie and his family at the station and give him a tour of the appliances and some of the equipment.
“It was great to see how much he enjoyed himself and I hope he and his family have a truly brilliant Christmas this year.”
Laura said: “We’ve gone all out for Christmas 2021, as last year we had to celebrate on Christmas Eve with our other children, then I went and spent the day with Lennie in hospital.
“But, this year, we’re not actually having a traditional dinner either – just burgers and hotdogs – at Lennie’s request!
“Let’s hope 2022 is a better year for everyone,” she said.