A Liverpool baby who defied medical odds is now the face of Matalan and Alder Hey's Christmas pyjamas range.
Lenny Rooney, from Waterloo, surpassed doctor's expectations with his swift recovery from open heart surgery.
The one-year-old, who has Down's Syndrome, was sent for a routine cardiac scan which showed he had Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (CAVSD) which means he had two holes in his heart and only one valve instead of two.
So at six months old, Lenny underwent open heart surgery at Alder Hey. Doctors thought it would take five weeks to recover, however, Lenny had other ideas and four days later he was home.
Lenny has even reached milestones before his now five-year-old sister did at his age such as rolling over, sitting up and clapping.
Lenny’s mum Vikki said: "Every family should have a baby with Down's Syndrome; I wouldn’t change him for the world.
"The staff at Alder Hey like his consultant Dr O’Connor and Katrina from A&E are so lovely, they treat him as their own and I feel like we’re in the safest of hands.
"They really are brilliant. Having a child with Down's Syndrome is nothing to be scared of; they bring so much joy and happiness to your life."
As part of this year’s activity, Matalan is sponsoring Alder Hey’s 5K Charity Fun Run and encouraging participants to wear their pyjamas for it.
As part of the run, a Guinness World Record attempt will take place to achieve the most runners linked to complete a 5K race. The run takes place this Sunday, September 22 in Croxteth Park.
Buy them in store or online at https://www.matalan.co.uk/charity/alder-hey/together-for-alder-hey
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