A NATIONAL 12-day long Christmas campaign for heart charity Little Hearts Matter will feature a family from Stourbridge.

Claire Lee, whose one year old son Harry was born with only half a working heart, has received significant support from the charity and is now featuring in the national campaign to help raise awareness of the emotional and physical pressures of living with the condition.

The 12-day video campaign, starting on Friday, December 1, features 12 different families from all over the UK and Claire and Harry will appear on day three of the series.

Claire, who lives with Harry at their home in Oldswinford, said: “We had tried for a baby for a long time, five years in total, and thanks to science we were able to have IVF and we were successful on our second attempt.

“But when we were told at our 20 week scan that our baby had half a heart I felt like my world had ended.

“I remember the look on the sonographer’s face and I have never felt so scared in all of my life. I felt numb and kept asking myself why us?

“But then I spoke to Little Hearts Matter. I was given information and support, and decided to fight and stay strong for my boy.

“Little Hearts Matter has been there for me every time I’ve needed them. There is no other charity that provides the support for Harry's condition, and we will always be grateful for how much they have helped us.”

The charity’s emotive campaign outlines the ways in which it has helped families feel less isolated during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

The series includes families who are learning to cope with their children’s limitations as well as families who have sadly lost their children to the condition.

Suzie Hutchinson, chief executive at Little Hearts Matter, said: “We are the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting these families.

“When they come to us they are in a difficult place – frightened, isolated and they often have never even heard of the condition their baby has. It’s difficult, but we are there – through every single step of their journey, and we never go away.

“This Christmas, our aim is to raise even more awareness so that we can reduce this isolation and continue to help these families.”

The campaign will be available to watch on Little Hearts Matter’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/littleheartsmatter – from Friday, December 1.