Whitchurch girl's health plight touches store staff

It has meant the youngster from Whitchurch has spent the first three years of her life needing open heart surgery four times, and weekly trips to hospital.

But rather than let it get her down, Nicole has remained positive and has still been able to enjoy her life.

And now the youngster has been given a helping hand from staff at the Tesco store in Whitchurch, who have bought her a machine to cut the number of hospital trips she will have to make.

The £300 machine tests for blood and was bought by staff following two books sales at the store, which raised nearly £400.

Stacey Powell, Nicole's mum, said: "Nicole was born with half a heart, which we knew about when I was pregnant.

"It is a genetic condition but we don't know anyone in the family who has it.

"She has had four lots of open heart surgery and has to go for weekly visits to Shrewsbury for her blood to be tested.

"Her heart won't last and she will need a transplant when it fails, either in her late teens or early 20s.

"She will be on medication for life so if she falls she will bleed a lot, so we will have to watch out for that.

"It means she won't be able to do contact sports when she is older.

"But she has remained positive and never lets it get her down.

"She loves dancing and singing and is still able to play with friends.

"Our little fighter – that's what we call her." The 24-year-old care assistant, who lives with her partner Mark, 25, added: "We are very grateful to staff at the Tesco store.

"It means we won't have to travel to Shrewsbury every week for her blood to be tested.

"It will change our lives and means she won't have to miss lots of nursery and school in the future."

The machine and a goody bag was presented to Nicole at the Tesco store yesterday.

Staff said they were made aware of Nicole's story by Councillor Rob Hewson, mayor of Whitchurch.

Josh Durr, deputy manager of the store, said: "We hope it will make their lives easier."