Heart op teen's hospital boost

AFTER undergoing major heart surgery to treat a rare condition, 13-year-old Terrence Mizzi could have been forgiven for concentrating on his own recovery.

But the Stowmarket teenager, who only underwent the five-hour operation in the summer, is already raising money for the hospital which saved his life.

Terrence, a Stowmarket High School pupil, was born with an abnormality which left him with two aortas wrapped around the trachea - a dangerous congenital condition that consultants seldom see in this country.

Initially it was thought he was suffering from asthma, but as his breathing deteriorated through the years specialist tests and a scan were carried out.

In the summer, specialist consultant Carin van Doorn operated at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London - and Terrence, of Kensington Road, Stowmarket, is now on the road to recovery. His breathing is still not perfect but the condition is expected to improve over time.

Now the teenager has started high school and plays for the under-14s at Stowmarket Football Club as well as his school, along with the Woolpit village team - even dreaming of playing for West Ham United one day.

And he has held a fund-raising party at the Cedars Hotel in the town to raise hundreds of pounds for Great Ormond Street. With his own £100 donation he was able to give more than £700 to the hospital.

The youngster, who also plays tennis, said: “I felt really scared, I thought something would happen to me during the operation.

“But they saved my life and when I came round I saw two babies in there and wanted to give something back. I feel a lot better now.”

His mother Josephine Mizzi said: “He told me he wanted to live, he wanted to grow up and play football, the love of his life. He was terrified of dying, it was a nightmare for him because he faced a major operation.

“I am extremely proud of him. He has been through this and has coped with everything that has come his way.”