‘Heart surgery camp’ to be set up after Blackburn toddler's death

Carson Adams died in 2020 after being born with congenital heart disease.

His mum, Amylee Adams, said more than £7,000 has been raised in the last two years, through raffles, sponsored haircuts, online fundraisers, and beyond. The money was used to set up Carson’s Camp with the charity Healing Hearts.

The charity provides free heart surgery on babies and children in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Amylee discovered the charity through Dr Ramana Dhannapuneni, lead surgeon and trustee at the charity (Image: Amylee Adams)

Carson’s Camp will be based in India, from September 21 to 28.

Amylee said the money raised will help 14 children, giving them potentially lifesaving heart surgery.

Amylee said: “Over the last two years, we have been fundraising for a camp in Carson’s memory, for a charity called Healing Little Hearts. We needed to raise over £6,000 for the camp to happen.

“The charity goes to some of the poorest countries in the world to give heart operations to children.”

Amylee discovered the charity through Dr Ramana Dhannapuneni, lead surgeon and trustee at the charity. He performed seven heart surgeries on Carson throughout his short life. She said the camp “means a lot to the doctor” as he was “very close to Carson”.

Carson Adams (Image: Amylee Adams)

Amylee said the thought of potentially saving children's lives makes her emotional.

She said: “The thought of it literally makes me cry. It’s such a sad time because Carson’s birthday is coming up in September.

“It makes me feel overwhelmed but I am so proud that we are doing it.

“More than the physical benefits this is also raising awareness of heart conditions and that children may need life-saving heart surgery.

“I am proud that we have been able to do it and I would love to go over there and meet the children. We will get updates and pictures too.”

She hopes to raise a minimum of £6,000 per year so that the charity can set up other camps in Carson’s memory.

She said: “Organising a fundraiser for his birthday every year really helps me. It’s for such a good cause. We want to do this every year and raise enough money for other camps in the future.”

Carson had his first open heart surgery at Alder Hey Children's Hospital when he was just three weeks old, culminating in a huge operation on July 27, 2020. Unfortunately, Carson failed to make progress and developed kidney failure and a bleed on his brain.

Carson's family set up a Facebook page called "Carson's journey the Blackburn heart warrior" to document the toddler's life, and within weeks it had amassed more than 8,000 followers.

People from across the world, and those closer to home, including community group, Shad Chefs, helped to raise awareness of Carson's condition and participated in numerous charity events to raise money for his family. 

Amylee is encouraging the public to make a donation to Healing Little Hearts by visiting: www.healinglittlehearts.org. Please reference Carson Adams when you make a donation.