A CARING Keighley girl is once again paying a special festive 'thank you' to the heart unit which helped save her life.

Isabella – or Bella – Rodgers underwent heart surgery just five days after being born in December, 2014.

She had been diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, which meant she had no right ventricle.

Bella, supported by her family, began collecting selection boxes each year for the Children's Heart Surgery Fund Christmas party in tribute to the treatment and care received.

And the youngster, who will be eight next month, has now started the latest collection.

She will also be donating to Airedale Hospital, where she received care too.

Bella's heart condition was diagnosed when mum Rebecca was 20 weeks pregnant.

Since the birth, the Rodgers family has been an active supporter of the Children's Heart Surgery Fund – which gives vital support to the Congenital Heart Unit at Leeds Children's Hospital, on the infirmary site.

Over the years, the family has raised thousands of pounds.

And in 2019, it became the face of a Christmas fundraising campaign – Hearts For Life.

"I remember the time Bella was born like it was yesterday and every day felt like a week – but the staff made Christmas a joyous experience despite what was happening," says Rebecca.

"Bella turns eight next month, and we are forever grateful to every single person involved in her care at Leeds.

"She has collected thousands of selection boxes over the years – this is her seventh year collecting.

"We have made some of the best memories thanks to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund, which included the charity Christmas parties.

"We learned that the best way to deal with anything that was thrown our way was to find a positive. That’s why we decided to put our energy into providing treats for young patients and their families."

Bella underwent a third-stage heart bypass operation in the summer of 2020.

And whilst she still has scans and will require more procedures, she is able to live a normal life.

Rebecca says: "The operation in 2020 was to increase blood flow and give Bella more energy – which it certainly did!

"She still has six-monthly heart scans and will need procedures, such as a stent to widen an artery, as she grows bigger.

"But she is doing great and lives like a normal seven/eight-year-old."

Bella, who lives in the Fell Lane area, is a Year 3 pupil at Ingrow Primary School.

The Children's Heart Surgery Fund is wholly public-funded, and the annual Christmas party is free for patients and their families, thanks to donations from supporters across the region.

The charity’s funds mainly also provide vital resources for patients and families including medical kit, the parent accommodation which Rebecca stayed in while Bella was being treated, and distraction equipment like TVs and toys on the wards.

Rebecca adds: "All of the distraction aids help make the experience of hospital less stressful and relatively easier under the circumstances."

Anyone wishing to offer support to Bella's effort can email Rebecca.rodgers19@hotmail.com.

For further information about the Fund, visit chsf.org.uk.