A young boy who has twice undergone open-heart surgery is walking from the Royal United Hospital in Bath to Bristol Children’s Hospital, to thank the doctors who gave him a second chance at life.
Thomas Reynolds, 12, from Malmesbury was just a day old when doctors diagnosed two holes in his heart and a faulty pulmonary valve.
He had open-heart surgery at Bristol Children’s Hospital at 11 months old to repair the problem.
By the time he was 10 Thomas was a keen footballer, but he began to struggle to keep up with his team mates.
Consultations confirmed he needed further surgery and in June 2014 he had his second open-heart operation to fit a donor valve.
Thomas spent a week recovering on Ward 32 and was back on the football pitch just three months later, even winning his club’s Coaches’ Player of the Season award later that year.
To thank the doctors who gave him his second chance at life, Thomas came up with the idea of the ‘Second Chance Walk’.
On Tuesday 31st May he and his dad Chris will walk 16 miles from the Hospital in Bath, where Thomas was born, to Bristol Children’s Hospital to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
Thomas’ dad Chris said, “While we always knew Thomas was likely to need further surgery, he has never let his heart condition hold him back. His love of football is no exception but once he started to play on full-sized pitches he struggled to get through games without getting short of breath.
“We worried how he would take the news but he was ready to have the second operation so he could get back on the pitch! He spent his recovery watching World Cup matches and seeing him playing with his team not long later was just fantastic.
“The surgery made an incredible difference to Thomas’ life and he was keen to do something to give back to the hospital. We hope the walk will take between six and seven hours and will be doing some shorter walks over the next few months to help him get used to the pace.
“We’ll both be looking forward to meeting Sue and Thomas’ brother James for a good meal somewhere in Bristol when we arrive!”
Thomas said, “Doctor Parry, Doctor Tometzki and Doctor Stoica who monitor my heart and made the repairs and the rest of the amazing staff at the hospital have all helped me to be here today.
“Two years ago I would see my teammates running up and down the pitch and feel I was letting the team down. The operations made all the difference and now I can train and play without any problems.
“I was lucky enough to be given a second chance at life but some children aren’t. I want to raise money for The Grand Appeal so that we can all have a second chance.”
Suzanne Maverick, community fundraising manager, The Grand Appeal, said, “Thomas’ enthusiasm for living life to the full and of course for playing football is clear to see and we’re so grateful to him for supporting us.
“All the money raised will go towards helping Bristol Children’s Hospital to care for even more critically ill children from across the south west, and further afield. We look forward to welcoming him and his dad at the finish line of their walk for a very well-earned rest!”
To support Thomas’ ‘Second Chance Walk’, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SecondChance.
