Cycle ride offers route to help heart hospital

The family of a little boy who has a rare congenital heart defect is appealing to Advertiser readers to help them raise money for the hospital that is treating their son and others like him.

Ten-month-old Ethan Goldstraw, of Gardner Avenue, Fernwood, was born with his heart on the right side rather the left and, as a result, his right lung is tiny, meaning his left one has to work harder.

Tests and scans are still being carried out but it is believed he has Scimitar syndrome, which affects one to three out of 100,000 births.

The problem was discovered when his mother, Miss Hollie Goldstraw, 24, had a routine scan when she was 20 weeks’ pregnant and it was noticed the baby’s heart was on the wrong side.

The rest of her pregnancy was an anxious one as doctors warned Miss Goldstraw and her partner, Mr Martin Crampton, 25, that when their baby was born he would have to be put on a ventilator and might need heart surgery.

Miss Goldstraw gave birth to Ethan at Nottingham City Hospital. He was born screaming, which doctors said was a very good sign.

He was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre for checks and mother and baby were allowed home after four days.

Since then Ethan has undergone numerous scans to check the extent of his problems.

He often picks up chesty coughs but on the whole is a contented little boy.

He has an older brother, Luwi, 4, who dotes on him.

Miss Goldstraw said they saw many poorly children during their visits to hospital and decided they wanted to do something to raise money for Heart Link, based at Glenfield Hospital.

The charity is trying to raise £120,000 for two specialist incubators.

The couple have organised a ten-mile family sponsored bicycle ride, which will start from Fernwood Village Hall at 11.30am on September 11.

Almost 50 people have signed up so far and Miss Goldstraw is hoping many more will join to raise as much as possible.

She said: “We just want people to take a few hours out of their day to take part in the bike ride, which could potentially save a baby’s life.”

The route will take the riders into Newark, up Beacon Hill, through Coddington, back to Balderton before finishing at Fernwood, where there will be a children’s fancy dress bike ride.

The event will continue during the afternoon with a bouncy castle. A bar will be open at the village centre.

More details and sponsorship forms are available from Miss Goldstraw on 07970687196.