Transplant girl competes in games

Zoe was born with a heart valve which was too narrow

A heart transplant toddler who survived six heart attacks will be the youngest competitor at this year's British Transplant Games.

The event in August will mark a year since two-year-old Zoe Chambers, from Hull, had life-saving surgery.

Parents Julie and Rob were told Zoe had weeks to live and she was put at the top of the European heart transplant list.

Mrs Chambers said: "She's a fighter. It's a miracle that we still have her."

Zoe was being kept alive by an artificial heart and was desperately ill until a donor was found.

But after a 10-hour operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital last June, the toddler is now back home and living a normal life.

"When someone tells you your beautiful little baby girl could die, things don't get any worse than that," said Mrs Chambers, 34.

For Zoe to be able to take part in the British Transplant Games is a celebration of her life Julie Chambers

"But now she's a boisterous little thing and is always running around, playing with her brother Dylan.

"We will be eternally grateful to the doctors and the NHS for all they have done for Zoe.

"She has fought tooth and nail to be with us today and there is no reason why she can't go on to live a normal, happy life."

The games take place in Sheffield and Zoe will participate in events such as an obstacle race and a 25m run with other children.

Mrs Chambers said: "For Zoe to be able to take part in the British Transplant Games is a celebration of her life and a celebration of all the other contestants' strength and determination."