A family from Yeadon is rallying round to raise cash for charities that suppport toddler Marty Bishop with his rare heart condition.
Two-year-old Marty suffers from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a thickening of the heart muscle – and was not expected to survive birth.
But after receiving treatment from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, he is now a happy and healthy toddler.
His family has since raised thousands of pounds for the hospital and the Cardiomyopathy Association (CMA) and are preparing to put on a Christmas Fair to raise more cash.
The Christmas Fair will be held at the Trinity Church Hall in Rawdon on Saturday, from 10am to 1pm.
The event is free to enter and includes stalls with local handmade gifts, a café, Santa’s grotto, games, raffle and tombola.
Mum Sarah Lofthouse, 40, said: “I’m holding this Christmas Fair to raise money for two charities that are very important to me and my family.
“Marty is defying his diagnosis by being a happy and lively toddler.
“He is doing very well under the watchful eye of the world-renowned heart specialists at Great Ormond Street hospital.
“Marty loves the play areas and all the things that the hospital offers really help during what can be emotionally and physically challenging visits.
“The CMA offers families vital support and information when faced with a diagnosis of disease of the heart muscle and they were an essential lifeline to me upon Marty’s diagnosis.”
Last year Marty’s sister Kim, 17, raised £600 with a skydive.
The family also hosted a charity dinner, raising over £2,000 and a further £500 was raised last month when Marty’s dad Darren’s band Northern Rokk played a charity gig in Leeds.
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