6-Year-Old Layla Dudding Takes On AJ Bell Mini Great North Run to Boost Cardiac Care Awareness
Six-year-old heart warrior Layla Dudding is gearing up to take part in the AJ Bell Mini Great North Run on Saturday 9 September. Layla and her team, including mum Aimee Hay, younger brother Oscar, and grandma Jeanette Smith, are raising crucial funds for the Red Sky Foundation.
Layla has hypoplastic right heart syndrome and despite her own challenges, is determined to contribute to the charity who have supported the family and others in the same position.
Layla was diagnosed with her heart condition at Aimee’s 20-week pregnancy scan. Since then she has undergone multiple surgeries, including three major heart surgeries, one only three days after birth, and more than ten smaller procedures.
Layla is connected to a feeding machine for 18 hours a day, takes 12 different medications, and is a wheelchair user due to very low oxygen levels. Despite her struggles Layla is always ready to tell people about her ‘special heart’.
Mum Aimee explains, “She’s a happy little girl with an extraordinary heart.
“She is so excited to take part in the Mini Great North Run and to show off her specially designed wheelchair flags. We’re also celebrating Oscar’s birthday on the day meaning the whole day will be extra special.”
Fundraising is well underway and the family have lots of activities and community support planned in to make sure they can donate as much as possible to the charity.
“Our choice to support Red Sky Foundation was instinctive,” Aimee adds. “The foundation is raising awareness about children with heart conditions, and the assistance they provide to families like us is invaluable. Their work is a beacon of hope in the heart community.”
The Red Sky Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of those with cardiac conditions by providing lifelong support, grants, equipment, and raising awareness. The charity has made significant strides in the region, installing life-saving defibrillators in schools and public spaces, and providing vital training on defibrillator use and CPR.
In addition to supporting world-class cardiac units like the Children’s Heart Unit at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, the foundation extends its support to other regional health services within the NHS and other charitable organizations.
The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run is the UK’s biggest and best kids running event. Taking place on 9 September on the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, with plenty of encouragement and high fives from the crowds, it’s an action-packed day with an atmosphere like no other.
Mini runners aged 3-8 take on a daring 1.2km dash, while Juniors aged 9-16 tackle a 4km supercharged sprint.
For more information or to enter click here.
To donate to Layla’s fundraising page visit here.
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