Charlie is inspiring Christina to abseil for heart defibrillator

Charlie is inspiring Christina to abseil for heart defibrillator

16 March 2016

LITTLE Charlie Holland is at the centre of a campaign for a life-saving defibrillator.

The nine year-old was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome — a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time — during a routine operation to get his tonsils out.

Charlie became very ill during the operation as medical professionals struggled to regulate his heartbeat under the anaesthetic, but he was stabilised and after some investigation Wolff-Parkinson-White was diagnosed.

The cause is an extra electrical connection in the heart, and while most people can live a normal life the condition can be potentially life-threatening.

It is something that has been on the minds of Charlie’s Ballyalton family, who would feel more reassured if a defibrillator was nearby. So the aim is to raise the £2,000 needed for the device through the Red Cross, which will be ideally placed near the family home and be available to the rest of the community.

Stepping up to the fundraising challenge is Charlie’s auntie Christina Holland, who has previously taken part in a charity run for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Now the 23 year-old is gearing up to abseil down 120 feet of the Europa Hotel on Sunday.

“I haven’t done anything like this before so it is a case of turn up on the day,” said Christina. 

“As far as I know I don’t have a problem with heights. 

“Grainne and Gareth [Charlie’s mum and dad] and the youngsters will be down supporting me and any donation people can make will be greatly appreciated.”

Christina said having two relatives with heart conditions had inspired her fundraising efforts.

“My sister Bronagh had a leaking valve, which was discovered when she was 10 when doctors were monitoring her for a heart murmur,” she explained. “She had an operation to have the valve replaced when she was 21.

“And only for Charlie being in theatre getting his tonsils out he would not have been diagnosed with his syndrome or even know he had it.

“So many people do not get screening done and realise they have these conditions.

“There are many other cases of heart defects out there and with the statistics going up rapidly of many young people losing their lives to heart problems, a defibrillator could benefit such a small community and help save lives.”

Christina explained that the defibrillator in Ballyalton would also benefit people in Downpatrick, Ballyhornan and Kilclief.

“There are a lot of houses being built in the area and it is a main road to Ballyhornan and Downpatrick,” she said.

“Some money will also be used to provide training for people who would like to learn to use the defibrillator.”

Christina’s sister-in-law Grainne said she was grateful for the brave assailing challenge in aid of her son. Since his diagnosis nearly five years ago she said she naturally worries from time to time.

“They found an extra pathway in his heart,” Grainne explained. “The heart can do it’s normal function but with this extra pathway it can short circuit.

“Sometimes I want to wrap him up in cotton wool.

“At the time the whole thing scared the life out of us and sometimes I felt there was a big dark cloud hanging over us.”

Charlie has to have a check up every nine months and at 18 he will have an operation to blast away the extra pathway. Otherwise Charlie is a lively, happy and healthy little boy.

“A lot of people with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome do not know they have it and are living normally,” Grainne added.

“We are very grateful for any defibrillator support received.”

Sponsorship forms for the Europa abseil are available at Lucy Annie’s Bakery, Downpatrick, McGreevy Butchers Downpatrick and the Spar shop, Saul.

To make a donation online visit Christina’s Community Defibrillator Go Fund Me page at:https://www.gofundme.com/xvu9ef4s