Heart transplant girl Evie Doherty fulfils flower girl dream at aunt's wedding

vie Doherty: Bridesmaid at her auntie's wedding
Nicole Doherty
John Dunne @jhdunne29 June 2017

Little Evie Doherty fulfils her dream of being a flower girl at her aunt’s wedding — as she learns to walk again following a heart transplant.

The four-year-old had the operation last year after suffering a series of strokes and being diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition.

Her aunt Lauren and her fiancé Pete Partridge, both 30, put their wedding on hold for a year to make sure she could play a role.

Struggling to walk unaided, Evie clasped hands with her cousin Mason, a page boy, as they accompanied the couple at a church in Suffolk on June 3.

Flower girl dream: Evie Doherty with her mother
Nicole Doherty

She made it down the aisle clutching her beloved toy rabbit. Mason, also four, carried a joke sign that quipped: “There’s still time uncle Pete.”

Her mother Nicole Doherty said: “There was not a dry eye in the house. She was amazing. That is the farthest she has walked since the operation.”

Evie coming down the aisle with her cousin Mason
collect supplied by Nicole Doher

Evie had the successful transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital but now requires rehabilitation treatment not available on the NHS. Her parents, who live near Colchester, cannot afford the private physiotherapy she needs to regain the full use of her left side.

Evening Standard readers have helped raise £14,000 but a further £6,000 would provide her with more lasting and effective therapy.

Mrs Doherty, who had to give up a career in accountancy to care for her, said: “We are so grateful the money raised has helped to change Evie’s life.”

Evie was the face of Great Ormond Street’s Christmas appeal last year, which raised £1.5 million. Money donated by Standard readers will be used for two hours of specialist therapy a week for a year and a block of specialist intensive therapy.

To contribute, go to gofundme.com/eviesmarathon2017

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