A mother and father from Carmarthen have raised an incredible £3,200 for a baby heart charity after completing a half marathon earlier this month. Bethan Gray and Tom Smith were inspired by their son Harri’s brave fight against a serious heart condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The baby was diagnosed with multiple heart defects at just 10 weeks old despite a healthy pregnancy. He initially appeared well after birth, but subtle signs over the following weeks led to a diagnosis that changed the family’s lives. At five weeks old, Harri developed feeding difficulties before a doctor detected a heart murmur and weak pulse. A cardiology appointment later revealed a critical narrowing of his main artery alongside other serious heart complications.
“We were blindsided,” Bethan said. “We’d been reassured how common murmurs were so we never imagined it would be something so serious.” Harri was rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital for urgent heart surgery where he spent a week in intensive care facing complications. After four weeks, the family finally returned home to begin adjusting to their new normal with Harri and his four-year-old sister Seren.
Finding Support
During his recovery, the couple discovered Tiny Tickers, a charity dedicated to improving early detection of heart defects. “We found Tiny Tickers’ resources invaluable,” Bethan said. “If heart defects are picked up during pregnancy, survival rates are significantly higher. Harri couldn’t have waited much longer; his heart was already working overtime.” “If this had been detected earlier, we would have been better prepared as parents. The shock added to the trauma of an already difficult time.”
Determined to raise awareness, the couple and three friends took on the Swansea Half Marathon to fundraise for the charity. Their efforts raised £3,200 to help train staff, support families, and improve early detection rates across the UK.
Charity's Response
“Bethan and Tom’s strength, courage and determination are extraordinary,” said the charity's chief executive, Jon Arnold. “Their fundraising will help us ensure more babies like Harri get the early diagnosis they need. We are incredibly grateful to their entire team of runners for their support.” Harri continues to be monitored by a specialist team and is thriving at home.
