Nancy Limb, 6, of Holbeach takes on month of challenges in February to help others enjoy dream moments with Wish Upon A Star
A six-year-old girl who was born with a congenital heart defect is taking on a challenge every day this month to give something back to the charity which has helped her.
Nancy Limb has already undergone two open heart surgeries in her short life after being diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot shortly after she and her twin Florence were born in April 2017.
The determined Holbeach youngster is completing a series of exercises on every one of the 29 days in February in order to raise money for the When You Wish Upon A Star charity, which allowed her to be a princess at Disneyland Paris last year.
Her family is no stranger to fundraising as her proud parents Rick and Kayla have regularly supported the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, where Nancy has been treated.
Proud dad Rick said that Nancy – who is a big fan of Mickey Mouse - is committed to doing her daily physical challenges which have been supported by a lot of people.
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He said: “Just after Christmas Nancy went to my wife to say she wanted to do something. We didn’t want to make it too difficult as she has got to go to school every day. Last week her gymnastics group did the challenge with her as a group.
“Everyone has bought into it. We had put down a couple of hundred pounds as the target but it is currently £600.
“What the charity has given Nancy and us as a family is amazing. They are there all the time offering things and encouragement. I think the whole organisation is just phenomenal.
“In July, we went to Disneyland Paris as her wish. She wanted to be a princess. She dressed up as a princess and watched the fireworks in the evening. She was Belle. I had to buy new dresses and shoes for the twins but it was definitely worth it. They are only young once and with Nancy being a heart baby you are more inclined.”
Nancy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a congenital defect which affects the heart’s blood flow, after an echo cardiogram and doctors had picked up on her heart murmur.
She underwent her first operation on November 6, 2017, when she was six months old and a second three years ago after a problem was picked up during her annual check-up.
Rick said: “She will need life long care and, at some point, she will need further surgeries – but hopefully that is down the line.
“She is fit and healthy and runs around.
“Nancy has given us the toughest ride ever.”
When You Wish Upon a Star was founded to make the dreams of children with a life threatening illness to come true and has granted more than 18,000 wishes since 1990.
The challenges which Nancy are currently undertaking:
*five minutes on the treadmill running or walking
*five press-ups
*five sit-ups
*five burpees (a squat thrust to standing between repetitions)
*five 3kg kettle bell swings
*five cartwheels.
Rick said: “She does the burpees without stopping!
“Her sister’s boyfriend came over and he is into parkour. He did it with her and she set him the challenge of doing 10 backflips.”
See also: Our son Austin has the heart of a warrior
Nancy will also be supported in her challenge at the weekend by Ashley Wilson, who also has the same condition. They are due to be working out in Smudge Fitness in Spalding, on Saturday.
Belle Beautique by Melissa Jade, a salon in Boston, is also getting behind the fundraising by running a raffle with a top prize of a £25 Belle Beautique Voucher. The raffle will be drawn on February 29 and it costs £3 to enter.
You can find Nancy’s fundraiser for Wish Upon A Star on the JustGiving website if you would like to support her.
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