'The greatest gift': Ravenscar's Penelope recovering well following successful heart transplant

Penelope had been in hospital for a routine medication change when tragedy struck.

Hollie said: “She literally died in my arms and I had to hand her over to the team in Leeds Paediatric Intensive Care Unit who saved her life.

“Time stood still waiting in the Family Room during the 12 minutes it took to resuscitate her.

“I begged to have more time with her even if I was just a minute more.

“I literally collapsed in the consultant’s arms when she came in and told us she had her beat back.”

Penelope was placed on life support at Leeds Children’s Hospital and Hollie and Jordan were told she needed to be fitted with a Berlin Heart to survive.

A Berlin Heart is a life-saving device which pumps blood around the patient's body until a suitable donor heart can be found.

To their dismay, Hollie and Jordan were told that Penelope may not be able to have the Berlin Heart fitted, not because of the lack of availability, but because of the lack of beds available for her to be treated in one of the two specialist centres in the UK.

A national awareness and fundraising campaign was launched to raise funds for a Berlin Heart and within days, the couple had received over £130,000.

On December 20 2024, Penelope was fitted with the much needed device at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the long wait for a suitable donor organ began.

In autumn 2025, (dates are kept private to protect the donor family’s identity) - Penelope received the news that a suitable match had been found and underwent the life-saving surgery.

Now, after 11 months away, Penelope is home and living life to the full, complete with a new baby sister, Beatrice, born while the family were in London.

On Saturday, December 13, she was well enough to lead the procession of tractors at Staintondale and Ravenscar Tractor Club’s Christmas Tractor Run.

Hollie said: “It was the most magical and emotional moment, from wondering when the day would come that we weren’t living in the hospital to watching this little girl lead her tractor run, it was amazing from start to finish.

“She’s recovered so quickly, and doing so incredibly well that we keep wanting to pinch ourselves.

“She’s never been happier or more full of energy.”

“A hero we’ll never meet has given Penelope a second chance at life

“In their darkest moment, another family said yes and gave the greatest gift.

“I look at her now and I’m just so grateful we still have her and how far she’s come.

“And my heart breaks for the family who made that possible

“To Penelope’s donor family, we promise to give her the best life, to honour your little one always, and to make every moment count.

“Because of you, she is here… living freely, without wires or machines.

“It’s still early days in her recovery and transplant journey, but she’s doing amazingly.

“And the change in her is unbelievable.

“She is thriving.

“Brighter, happier and more full of life than ever before”