Get involved SMILING for the camera, little Martha Andersen is gannin’ along nicely.
Just two years ago, Martha’s family was told she had only a few hours left to live when her heart failed. But today, the three-year-old is living life to the full after undergoing a life-saving transplant at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. As reported in the Chronicle, a charity set up in honour of the youngster was picked as the Blaydon Race’s chosen beneficiary, and Martha’s family have been working hard to ensure all preparations are done in time for the event on Tuesday, June 9. Martha’s grandfather, Gordon Gipson, set up the PICU Penguin Fund and has pledged to raise &pound50,000 for the intensive care unit to show his appreciation to staff at the Freeman and enable the hospital to buy new equipment. Mr Gipson, 66, of Gosforth, said: “We are over the moon that we’ve been picked as the beneficiary of the Blaydon Race as it’s the biggest thing to happen to the charity.
“It means so much, and we’re very grateful to the organisers for choosing us &ndash I’d like to say thank you to them.”