Teen’s mission to help heart patients after mum’s ordeal
AN inspirational schoolgirl on a mission to help people with heart disease has dropped off sacks full of presents for patients and families at a specialist hospital.
Anna Hemphill was just 10 years old when mum Mary was first admitted to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank back in 2011 to have aortic valve replacement surgery.
Six months later Mary was back in hospital receiving a mechanical mitral valve and in 2012 she had a pacemaker fitted before a mitral valve repair in 2015.
Little Anna found waiting around in the wards for word of her mum’s progress “distressing” but chose to turn her heartache into something positive by helping other children, families and patients who are going through the same ordeals.
Since then Anna has tirelessly raised a massive £12,000, and donated thousands of pounds worth of goodies, for heart charities including the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Association of Children with Heart Disorders.
Last week, Anna, now 17, dropped into the hospital’s National Services Division
news@ eveningtimes. co.uk (NSD) ward to hand in a cheque for £1600 along with two massive food hampers, four sacks of presents including iTunes and hotel vouchers and massive Christmas crackers filled with goodies.
She said: “I went through a really difficult time so I just want to help others who are going through the same thing.
“It’s also to say thank you for all the amazing care the Golden Jubilee and all the heart charities give to the likes of my family.”
Proud mum Mary, 44, is still under the care of the Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service (SACCS) team at the Golden Jubilee.
She said: “She’s very strong and really passionate about what she does.”
Golden Jubilee Medical Director Mike Higgins added: “What Anna has done, and is continuing to do, for someone so young is wonderful.”