BRAVEHEART Jake, who suffered heart failure before Christmas and was helicoptered to London to save his life is now back at school full time with ‘tons of energy’ thanks to a heart transplant and the work of amazing surgeons.

Jake Cathcart, from Moss Bank, was born in 2015 with a rare and undiagnosed heart condition, leading him to suffer two cardiac arrests and a respiratory arrest.

Since then he has become an inspiration for Team 1C, led by his parents and other parents who have children with cardiac issues at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, who have raised thousands to send surgeons abroad to help other children with heart defects.

Jake was in hospital fighting for his life at Christmas

Jake was in hospital fighting for his life at Christmas

Jake attends St Peter and Paul Primary School and was doing very well, until he took a turn in November 2020 and was rushed into Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and later taken by helicopter to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

There his parents Claire and Neil were told Jake was put on the organ donor register for a new heart. Fortunately the little fighter managed to get strong enough for surgery and in January underwent a heart transplant thanks to organ donation. Now four months later he is back at school with more energy than ever before.

Jake Cathcart

Jake Cathcart

His proud mum Claire said: “Jake is doing so well. He was so poorly, thinking back we were that used to that way of life that we put it down to other factors, he was in school the day before we went to Alder Hey, but now having him back there the staff can’t believe the difference in him.

“He couldn’t concentrate before, had very little energy and everything but now he’s running around and doing so well, he’s amazing.

“I can’t believe it’s the same boy who arrived at Great Ormond Street and the staff said was the sickest child on the ward, we were so close to not having him with us anymore, but they are amazing there and saved him life once again. I just can’t thank them enough.”

Jake Cathcart with mum Claire

Jake Cathcart with mum Claire

To thank Great Ormond Street Hospital for saving Jake’s life twice, both as a baby and now, Claire and Neil are looking to raise money for them to mark Jake’s sixth birthday on May 23.

Claire said: “I just want to say thanks so much to everyone that’s shown support by donating and wearing stripes.

“When things were really bad it was such a boost and really helped us keep going, knowing people were rooting for Jake.

Jake Cathcart

Jake Cathcart

“And I’m so glad we can in turn help others because of it. If we raise money for the hospital it could help someone else like Jake and that would mean everything.”

n To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Gozebraforjake6