THE mum of a toddler with serious heart defect has launched a fundraising campaign to help adapt their home.

Lillie Mellor, aged three, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect, which has resulted in numerous complications and operations, including three open heart surgeries.

Her condition has left her unable to walk or crawl and she has to be fed through a tube, as well as use a dialysis machine for up to 12 hours a night.

“Everyone thought she wouldn’t make it,” Lillie’s mum, Stephanie Konca said. “But she keeps bouncing back, fighting.

“People always thought she wouldn’t have much quality of life. She can’t walk or talk. She can’t stand up.

“But now she is aware of what’s around her.

"She is always smiling, always laughing. She is very happy.”

In January of this year Lillie suffered a bleed on the brain and in March she underwent brain surgery due to a build-up of fluid within the brain.

Now she is growing older, Lillie’s home in Leftwich needs to be adapted to meet her needs.

This involves widening the doors for specialist equipment, installing a ramp and an extension for a downstairs bedroom and wet room.

There is an also on-going cost of all of the extra equipment including, special beds, medication and other requirements that make her life easier.

Stephanie, who is Lillie’s full time carer, said: “She is 100 per cent dependant on us. We dress her, move her and feed her because she can’t swallow.

“All of her conditions are life-threatening. Her dialysis is her life support. Without the dialysis she wouldn’t survive.”

If successful, a grant of up to £30,000 will cover the cost of most of this work. However Stephanie, 26, and her partner, Phil Mellor, 34, must cover the shortfall.

A JustGiving page with a target of £10,000 has been set up and several fundraisers are planned.

On November 17, a Pamper and Beauty evening will take place at Frankie Howard’s Coffee Co, in Witton Street.

Martina Dalton, the owner of the coffee shop, wanted to help after hearing of Lillie's situation.

She said: “I've met Lillie myself, granted it brought a tear to my eye as I can relate to a small degree after my youngest daughter had open heart surgery last year, the difference is that my little one was extremely lucky, had a successful operation and no other complications so far.

“When I looked at little Lillie, who initially appears to be less responsive, then smiling and laughing when her mum blew a raspberry on her hand, it just literally broke my heart.

“That little girl has been through so much with a huge mountain to climb ahead, and desperately needs some help.”

For more information like Lillie’s Fight: A True Heart Warrior on Facebook.

To donate to Lillie’s fundraising campaign click here.