Amelia inspires charity runners

More than 600 people were joined on a charity 5km fun run by a plucky Stourbridge schoolgirl who has fought back from a string of heart operations.

Amelia Woods, of Brook Street, is only nine but has already had to cope with nine heart surgeries - the first when she was just seven days old.

To mark the anniversary of that first open heart surgery Amelia sounded the starting horn for runners at the British Heart Foundation event yesterday. And she even walked the route with her mum and dad Elizabeth and Hamish and sister Isobel, aged 10.

Elizabeth, who works at Sunfield School in Clent, said: "Amelia has done a lot of fundraising before through things such as baking cakes and selling them at school and she was very keen to join all of the runners in Bewdley.

"We had to rush to Russells Hall Hospital in the morning to have an ECG removed in order to make it on time for the start but we did it. Amelia has had to cope with her condition from an early age and doesn't know any different.

"Her classmates at Greenfield all look after her and she is very happy and very plucky."

Amelia is diagnosed with digorge syndrome which causes her heart problems and learning difficulties as well as hearing and eyesight problems.

But despite her condition her mother Elizabeth said she is keen to be an inspiration to others.

Later this year Amelia will undergo further surgery for a heart valve replacement at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

It is hoped yesterday's event will rake in £25,000 for the charity once it is collected in by April.

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr was on hand to help runners warm up and a draw will be made next month to see which runner has bagged free tickets to a Harriers match.

Organiser Sarah Kirkpatrick said: "It was a very successful event and Amelia was the star of the day, I think it is hard not to be inspired by her."