Hougham girl Tilly, 4, stars in music video for ECHO charity and Evelina hospital

A four-year-old girl from Hougham features in a music video appeal to raise awareness and vital funding to help children with heart conditions.

Tilly Foster, who was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and had heart surgery at just 13 days old, is one of 77 children with heart conditions to be featured in the appeal video I Am Home, sung by Byron and the Stratford East Singers.

It was at the 20-week scan that doctors found Tilly had transposition of the great arteries and would require surgery almost immediately after she was born.

The song and two videos aim to raise awareness of congenital heart conditions, which affect approximately one in every 100 children born in the UK, and to raise vital funding for children’s heart charity ECHO and the Children’s Heart Fund at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.

Tilly’s mum, Amanda, said: “I feel passionate about helping children with special hearts and giving back to an amazing charity which has supported both Tilly and my family along our heart journey.

“The Evelina hospital provided amazing care to Tilly and ECHO made a big difference to us – enabling us to meet other families who have children with special hearts whom we have formed great friendships with and running special antenatal classes for heart parents, as well as many other events.”

Samantha Johnson, ECHO chief executive, said: “ECHO is so grateful for the support of Byron, the Stratford East Singers, and all the families who have collaborated in creating this project. We hope this song will raise awareness and vital funds to support children with congenital heart conditions.”

Watch the videos at youtu.be/rh03X9bbEqo and youtu.be/ECfifR9lpyM