CHANEL IS BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER
The mum of a girl who had heart surgery when she was just one-minute-old has put together a video to bring together families just like theirs.
Now Fay and her girl have brought together members of the support group founded, the Heart Family Group, to share an important lockdown message.
Chanel, who lives with Fay, 30, dad Micheal, 34, and brothers Chase, 10, and Cole, seven, in Seaham, has been told to shield by the NHS because she is at greater risk.
This means the family are living with tighter restrictions than most families and for a minimum 12-week period.
The pair kick off the video by writing a note, which is then passed between 43 families before it is unfurled to show the words: “Thinking
of our heart family, stay safe” with the message decorated with a rainbow and congenital heart awareness symbol.
Fay, who has worked with the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness of heart defects, said: “I had the idea for the video after seeing so many people take to social media as an outlet through the coronavirus.
“I thought it would be a lovely idea to make it look like we were all passing a message on to each other in their homes, even though we were all apart.
“Many of the children are high risk and a lot of them including Chanel - are in the ‘shielding’ category.
“For children stuck indoors for so long and who don’t understand why, it can get hard and I wanted to create something to make them smile.
“Many of the parents have messaged me since saying the children are watching the video on their iPads on repeat and love it which is wonderful and the aim.
“Hopefully we are helping to raise awareness that lots of children are high risk through this virus and need protecting too.”
The BHF says it is committed to supporting heart patients like Chanel during this crisis and ensuring research offers them hope for the future.
“Whether you are shielding, self-isolating or on lockdown, you'll be spending a lot more time at home over the coming months. But there are lots of things you can do to make sure you feel well.” Go to https://www. bhf.org.uk/