TO see Ellen Knight now she is a beautiful smiling and healthy young girl. But the 14-month-old had to have life-saving surgery when she was just days old.
It was after the 20-week pregnancy scan that mum Irene and dad Richard, of Keynsham, were told that the arteries of Ellen's heart were the wrong way round and she also had a hole in her heart.
She had an eight-hour operation when she was eight days old to switch the arteries and close up the hole.
The youngster remains under the care of Dr Robin Martin, having regular check-ups at the children's hospital.
"It was essentially a life and death situation for us but the surgeons are dealing with these situations every week," Mr Knight, 37, said.
"We were absolutely amazed by the support given by the hospital. In paediatric intensive care they have two nurses on each child's bed 24/7. The facilities in Bristol really are fantastic."
The family has been fundraising for the heart unit at the hospital since experiencing its work.
Mr and Mrs Knight both took part in a skydive, raising £12,000 for the cause and are encouraging others to support the Children's Heart Appeal.
"We were determined to do a little bit to give something back given the support we have had and all the other families who will benefit from the unit. We hope that Ellen never uses the new theatre, but she benefited from the excellent facilities and if we can help make the centre in Bristol even more world class it will help even more children like Ellen."
Colleagues of Mr Knight at law firm Burges Salmon have now taken the cause on as charity of the year with a fundraising target of £25,000. A team will be cycling from Wensleydale in Yorkshire to Bristol towing a 21kg cheese.
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