A SCHOOLBOY who is recovering from his third heart operation hopes to celebrate his new lease of life by taking on the Jane Tomlinson Junior run 'to give something back'.

Cameron Scott, who is 11, underwent emergency, lifesaving keyhole surgery at just four days old after being born at York Hospital in November 2006 with critical aortic stenosis, when his aortic valve was fused shut. He went on to have open heart surgery when he was three years old, and is now recovering from a third operation when his faulty aortic valve was replaced with his own pulmonary valve, through the Ross Procedure.

Cameron spent time recovering at home and away from his beloved football training with Fulford FC but has been able to return for his final weeks in Year 6 at Hempland Primary Academy in Heworth.

His parents, Jacqui, 38, and Allan, 41, a self-employed photographer, praised the "outstanding" care Cameron received at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, after which he was able to return home just six days later.

"Cameron and all the other children who have heart conditions have to go through so much, and he and his sister Lydia are my inspiration," said Jacqui.

"It is the most difficult thing as a parent we have ever had to go through. This was our third time of handing Cameron over to a surgical team and it does not get any easier.

"It was a six-hour operation, the longest day of our lives. Having to watch Cameron go through the operation, then being quite sick due to all the medication he was on and feeling so helpless because we couldn't take that pain away was heartbreaking. We are both extremely proud of Cameron and Lydia. The first thing he wanted to do when he came round for the operation was thank his surgeon.

"It was very difficult for Lydia being away from us all. She stayed with grandparents for the first couple of days whilst Cameron had his operation. She was able to come and stay with us in the parent accommodation at the weekend and she was fantastic, helping to look after Cameron, passing him his drinks. The staff at the Freeman were so caring and helpful and made a horrendous situation more bearable."

Looking ahead to the Junior run, Cameron said: "I am running as I want to help the hospital that has helped me."

Lydia has also written to Hempland, asking the primary to hold a non-uniform day for the sick children's trust which provided accommodation so the Scotts could stay close to the hospital throughout Cameron's time in Newcastle.

Jacqui has rallied support from friends Julie Cockerill and Keith Holmes, along with Cameron's friends.

The three adults have signed up to do the Jane Tomlinson York 10k, while a group of 19 children, aged from three to 11 - including Cameron and his nine-year-old sister Lydia, - will be taking on the York mini (1.5km) and Junior runs,(2.5km) all on Sunday, August 5.

Among the group is Sam Holmes, aged 10, from Rawcliffe, who is also undertaking a 38-mile bike ride, the Wiggle Yorkshire Tour Sportive, on August 12 in aid of CHUF.

The group also includes Maddie Hall, Lucy Holmes, William Dobson, William Flatt, Ryan Thompson, Daniel and Emma Dixon, Dylan and Phoebe Rankin, Chloe Marshall, Jackson Clark, Thomas Hardy, Ava and Arlo Gaines, Emilia Walters and Dylan Tasker.

"As a family we wanted to say thank you and be able to give something back," she said. "This is all in aid of the Children's Heart Unit Fund, which is a charity very close to our hearts, and this is our way of being able to say thank you for everything they have done for Cameron. We are hoping to raise £1000."

She added: "Cameron will need further surgery in the future; eventually he will be given an artificial valve, but we are hoping that this won't be needed for a long time."

* The CHUF raises vital funds for medical equipment, such as state-of-the-art heart scanner, a paediatric heart lung machine and intensive care monitors, salaries and research while also providing support and care to the children.

This is in addition to the infrastructure costs for the parents accommodation and playroom, enabling families like the Scotts to stay close by at such a difficult time.

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