A YOUNGSTER from Ellesmere is on a mission to repay the hospital that saved her life.

Tia Maher, 10, suffers from a serious heart condition and has been cared for by Birmingham Children's Hospital ever since she was rushed there in an emergency when she was a little baby.

The Ellesmere Primary School pupil has vowed to give something back to the leading UK specialist paediatric hospital and started by organising a day of fundraising fun for pupils at the Elson Road school – and has counted up £690 in donations.

"I wanted to raise money because the hospital has been helping me throughout the years from when I was a baby," she said.

"They track how much I weigh and how tall I am and look at my heart. This is to see if anything has changed.

"I feel thankful that they helped me and all the other people that are in the hospital."

Tia enlisted the help of her friends, family and the school to plan a non-uniform day.

Fellow pupils baked cakes to sell at break times, and Tia's auntie was enlisted to help with face painting.

Chloe Thomas, Year 5 teacher, said: "Tia is a wonderful young lady who decided to give back to the hospital that has supported her ever since birth.

“She returns to the hospital for a check-up every few months and has made friend there.

"We are extremely proud of what she has achieved and her attitude is something we can all learn from.”

Headteacher Stuart Roberts said: “Tia’s determination to do so much for the hospital is a credit to her at such a young age.

"It was great to see how everyone rallied round to help organise the event and we will do everything we can to support her where possible in the future.”

Ellesmere Primary is part of North West Academies Trust (NWAT), which is one of the highest performing trusts in the country, overseeing a number of schools in Shropshire and Cheshire.