Bitteswell boy born ‘the size of a chicken nugget box’ taking on inflatable 5k for children’s heart charity

Oliver Coupland was born five weeks early, weighing four pounds and nine ounces, and had open heart surgery after being diagnosed with sinus venosus atrial septal defect, a rare congenital heart defect, at the age of three.

Oliver’s mum Derry said: “Although Oliver initially seemed well, concerns started quite early around feeding, growth and development.

"He struggled with feeding from birth and later had significant difficulties with eating, alongside recurrent respiratory infections and developmental delays.

“As a baby and young child, Oliver was under the care of numerous specialists as doctors tried to understand why he was facing so many health challenges.

"When Oliver was three years old, during what we thought was a routine respiratory appointment, a consultant detected a heart murmur.

"Following further investigations, Oliver was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect which meant that some of his veins were sending blood back to his lungs instead of to his heart.”

Oliver underwent open heart surgery at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester in 2018 and was discharged after four days, with his initial recovery taking around six weeks.

The surgery left Oliver with a large scar down his chest, and he still requires lifelong cardiac monitoring.

He also has diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), hypermobility and over-pronation of his feet, and has challenges with eating, learning, social situations and managing anxiety.

Oliver is preparing to take on an inflatable 5k, a five-kilometre course featuring giant inflatable obstacles, in aid of Heart Link, formerly known as the East Midlands Children’s Heart Care Association.

The charity supports parents and families of children with heart conditions, and following his surgery provided Oliver with opportunities for soft play, toys, and a goodie bag with a bear.

A GoFundMe page set up by the family has currently raised £2,040 ahead of the challenge, more than double its initial fundraising target, which Oliver is completing alongside his dad and family friend Callum.

Derry added: “For many children, it would simply be a fun challenge, but for Oliver it’s much bigger than that.

"Due to his hypermobility, foot condition and coordination difficulties, physical challenges can be much harder for him, but Oliver is determined to do this and give something back.

“We are incredibly proud of him.”

Writing on his fundraising page Oliver said: “I started life as a tiny baby with a dodgy heart, and now I’m an 11‑year‑old with a fixed heart, a big scar, too much energy, and a 5K to smash.”

Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.