Major feat for mum of Leeds cardiac arrest baby

Oliver Baum was out with his family when his heart suddenly stopped beating last July.

He was rushed to Leeds Children’s Hospital where he spent four days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and another four weeks at the children’s heart surgery ward.

On Sunday, Oliver’s mum Briony Williamson will take part in the Royal British Legion Major Series at Bramham Park to raise money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, which supports the ward.

She said: “Although we do not know the extent of Oliver’s condition, the medication is working well and he is growing up to be as cheeky as his older brother, Jack.

“This is all down to the fantastic work they do at the Children’s Heart Unit. They worked tirelessly to save my baby’s life and I cannot thank them enough.”

Oliver was taken ill as he was being fed by his mum, while she, his brother and dad Adam were out for a meal. An off-duty paramedic came to their aid and an ambulance crew found Oliver had an abnormal heart rhythm.

“He was given three shocks in the ambulance to try and get his heart back to a normal rhythm. On arrival at the hospital, Oliver was maintaining his own airway and was crying. We were just glad that we could hear him making a noise as this meant he was still alive,” added Briony, 26.

He was stabilised and given medication in hospital, as well as having a monitor implanted, before he was allowed home. Now his mum, along with four friends, will join Sunday’s event to support the children’s heart team.

Visit www.justgiving.com/Olliesheartbeat to donate.