We first met Henry back in 2021 when his brother George attended his first swimming lesson with Puddle Ducks, Henry watched poolside but was desperate to join in the fun! A few weeks later with the support of Henry’s family and our wonderful teacher Kayleigh, Henry joined Little Dippers.
Henry has been under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) all his life, after being diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening respiratory and heart condition at birth.
Henry was born with a 1.5mm-wide windpipe and a left pulmonary artery which wrapped around his windpipe and spent his two first Christmases at GOSH. Following numerous life-saving surgeries and procedures, his mum Shevonne remembers spending Henry’s first Christmas in the hospital “in dire straits about whether Henry would live or die”.
Henry, who requires permanent ventilation and is always accompanied by two trained adults, is thriving. He has been swimming weekly since January 2022 and has recently swam 5 meters independently in Dippers! We are so proud of him.
Shevonne had this to say ‘it’s just amazing and it has given us an opportunity we may have never had with the level of health needs Henry has. Kayleigh is just amazing! She gave us confidence when Henry asked her to teach him to swim. She was like ‘yes I can do that.’
Henry’s incredible spirit and determination have not gone unrecognised. As well as starring in GOSH Charity’s Christmas Appeal campaign – including in the charity’s Christmas film - he won a Wellchild award last year and is described by his mum as a “local celebrity” in his hometown.
The family have raised more than £46,000 for GOSH Charity. At Puddle Ducks we are keen to support the family’s fundraising efforts and help them hit their goal of £50,000 by the end of the year. We are encouraging all our wonderful customers to join in our pyjama week to raise money for GOSH so that more seriously ill children can receive the care they need.