A 'fit and healthy' teenage boy who was found passed out on his bedroom floor had his heart removed in life-saving surgery.
Gemma Ackerley, from Warrington, found her son, Harvey, lying on his bedroom floor after a burst appendix caused him to vomit and pass out.
The then 14-year-old was rushed to Warrington Hospital for treatment, but during his stay in July 2019, doctors noticed an abnormality during a vitals check, that led to him being diagnosed with a deadly condition.
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After recovering from his appendix surgery, he was transported to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where more tests revealed two holes in his heart.
On August 4, 2020, aged 15, Harvey underwent major surgery which involved cutting into his chest and removing his heart to repair the holes, leaving him with a seven-inch scar.
According to doctors if the holes had been missed, Harvey could have had a heart attack before the age of 25.
Mum Gemma said it came as a "shock" to the family as he was always active and never showed signs of a heart condition.
She said: "All his coaches always said he's the fittest in the team, they were shocked that he had any heart defects."
Just six weeks after being under the knife, Harvey hiked the 3,409ft Mount Snowdown along with his mum and dad to raise more than £7,000 for the hospital that 'saved his life'.
Since his first two heart operations Harvey, now 16, has been back to Alder Hey for one further operation to remove the sternal wires from his chest after they were causing him some discomfort.
Gemma The ECHO : "He began suffering with pain in his chest and he said it felt like they were poking through his chest.
"Doctors said because he's always been lean, that could have been the reason for the discomfort. They ran some tests and said everything looked okay so they would take them out.
"I was more worried for this operation because I knew Harvey was okay, when he had the open heart surgery last time around we were just trying to power through everything that was going on.
"He's now doing brilliantly and has finished school and got his GCSE results."
Despite being in and out of Alder Hey, Harvey got the equivalent of six b's and two c's in his GCSE's and is going to study business, economics and sport in college.
His mum spoke of how proud they are of their son after a tough few years.
She said: "It's unbelievable what he has been through with his operation and covid, just like all the other students up and down the country.
"He had to work so hard to catch up to everyone else with extra curriculars at school and also tutors.
"The school also gave him awards for his Snowden fundraising and bravery. We're so unbelievably proud."
Gemma is now hoping to raise even more money for Alder Hey by participating in the Virtual London Marathon on October 3.
She told The ECHO : "It was actually Harvey that brought up the idea of doing some more fundraising, he said he really wanted to get our GoFundMe page up to £15,000.
"I've done two marathons before, the Chester and Manchester ones, but this time it will be much different as I won't have the crowd.
"Harvey has said he's going to come with me on his bike and also run the last little bit with me so we can cross the finishing line together.
"It's the least we can do for Alder Hey, they saved my amazing boys life."
You can donate to Harvey and Gemma's GoFundMe page here.
