(Image: Ollie Holder)
A County Durham youngster who survived heart failure and a life-saving heart transplant has won a national award recognising the courage of children living with heart conditions.
Five-year-old Beatrix Archbold, of Burnopfield, won the Young Heart Hero Award at the British Heart Foundation’s ceremony at London’s Paradox Museum.
Beatrix was 15 months old when dilated cardiomyopathy caused heart failure by weakening her heart muscle and reducing its ability to pump blood.
Her parents, Cheryl and Terry, initially believed she had Covid-19 when she became breathless and stopped eating and drinking.
An echocardiogram at Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital revealed a heart murmur and end-stage heart failure.
She was transferred to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, where doctors tried to stabilise her with medication.
Five days later, Beatrix suffered a cardiac arrest and underwent emergency surgery to have a Berlin mechanical heart fitted.
Terry Archbold, her father, said: "Her recovery after the transplant was remarkable and she was back home with us and her big sister Eliza after just a month.
"We were so fortunate that Bea was given the option of a Berlin heart, while waiting for a suitable donor.
"It was the only option we had.
"It was hard for her being attached to a machine for so many months, but there was no choice as she would not have survived without it."
Beatrix spent 14 months attached to the mechanical heart, celebrating Christmas and reaching childhood milestones before receiving a transplant in June 2023, aged 2½.
Mr Archbold said: "Bea was so excited about the Young Heart Hero Awards.
"She picked her own dress and couldn’t wait to get there and meet all the other children.
"She loves life and has started school and doing all the things that children should be enjoying.
"We feel so very lucky and cannot express our gratitude enough to the family who consented to organ donation."
The awards honour young people who show outstanding courage and make a difference in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
The event was hosted by Dr Dan and Dr Raph Olaiya, known as the O-Twins and presenters of the BAFTA-winning CBBC show Operation Ouch!
Beatrix, the other young heart heroes and their families explored the Paradox Museum’s immersive exhibits in Knightsbridge and took part in BHF science experiments.
Teresa Hicks, director of fun for the Young Heart Hero Awards, said: "The Young Heart Hero Awards are always a highlight of our year, bringing together remarkable young people from across the UK.
"Each nominee shows incredible spirit and represents the very best of us.
"Beatrix’s determination, kindness and courage are exactly what these awards are all about."
The British Heart Foundation is the UK’s biggest independent funder of cardiovascular research.
A spokesman for the BHF said: "Before the BHF existed, the majority of babies diagnosed with a severe heart defect in the UK did not survive to their first birthday.
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"Today, thanks to research, more than eight out of ten survive to adulthood."
Nominations for the 2027 Young Heart Hero Award open on November 25.
Find more information about the awards and support for the British Heart Foundation on the BHF website.