A year ago little Gabrysia Filarowski was close to death as she waited for a heart transplant.

But now the lively two-year-old is preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of her life-saving operation.

Gabrysia, who is two, will be star guest at the event to raise money for the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, which saved her life.

Her mother Angela, of Horsforth, said: “She is doing absolutely brilliantly.

“We were at the transplant clinic a week last Monday and the doctor said her heart is looking absolutely superb.”

Gabrysia was born with a rare defect which put her life at risk.

Angela and her husband Andrew say they will forever be thankful for the courage of the heart donor’s family.

The ball will take place at the Queen’s Hotel, in Leeds, on Saturday, July 10 – the first anniversary of Gabrysia’s transplant.