Why we started George's fund

George had open-heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in April 2018, when he was two years old. His mum, Alexa, tells us about their journey, and why they started George’s TeamGOSH Fund. With incredible support from their local community, they've raised more than £15,750 so far!

“George's heart journey began at just four hours old when his wellbeing started to rapidly decline. He was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition called Ebstein anomaly.

“George had life-changing open-heart surgery in April 2018 to repair one of his heart valves. The surgery has been such a success that George’s heart has started to change shape for the better.

“George will need support throughout his childhood and life as he developed another rare heart condition after surgery. This is monitored daily at GOSH by the Cardiac Pacing team via a loop recorder that is placed under his armpit.”

To give back to the hospital, Alexa and her husband, Daniel, set up a Team GOSH Fund with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).

“GOSH has changed our son's life not once but twice, and we’ll be forever grateful for everything everyone has done for him and us as a whole family.

“We set up the George Broude TeamGOSH Fund to give back to a hospital and charity that has given us so much as a family. GOSH has become like a second home and community to us."

Alexa adds that they wanted to fund something specific that would benefit everyone, "so we chose for our fundraising to go towards family and parent accommodation. Without charitable donations, that accommodation wouldn't exist.”

The biggest fundraising event so far was when Alexa ran 57 miles from the family home to the entrance of GOSH to deliver a letter of thanks to everyone involved in George’s care.

“The Home from Home challenge was amazing. Friends and family joined for part of the run and supported me along the whole route. Members of GOSH Charity even ran for the last six miles.