Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am a very Grown-Up Congenital Heart (GUCH) patient, diagnosed in 1972 with holes in my heart and subsequently damage to my lungs. I had a Heart and Lungs transplant in 1988 when I was 16 years old.

At the time of my transplant, I was a bit too old for Great Ormond Street Hospital where I had my operation, and too young and fragile to cope with the adult wards full of older people, where there is an expectation that you do most things for yourself. I was scared and unsure what the future held for me.

The GUCH Patients Association helped me cope with the transition from the cosseting of paediatric care into the self-determination of adult life, supporting me with the angst of taking medicines for the rest of my life, advice on drinking, smoking and even …… sex!!

GUCH PA, now known as The Somerville Foundation continues to help the young as they transition through adolescence and into adulthood, with help and advice for all aspects of their lives.

The money you help me to raise will go towards their ‘Choices’ transition events. The events will involve taking teenagers and their parents into hospital to meet the staff and take part in activities that help them understand the ways in which their care will change. The Somerville Foundation will provide counselling sessions, opportunities to meet peers, and help teenagers and their families feel prepared, less anxious and more supported about transitioning from child to adult care.

I know from experience that this help is incredibly important. It helps to build confidence and encourage independence at a time in our life when we are still very vulnerable.  It's not as if being a teenager isn’t bad enough in itself!

Please help me to break through my target and help these children with lifelong conditions as they become young adults.