A Huntingdonshire girl and her 'mighty mates' will take on a 5k race to raise money for the hospital that saved her life. 

Maia Wiggett, of St Neots, will take part in RBC Race for the Kids on October 12 with four of her friends under the team name 'Maia's Mighty Mates'.

They are fundraising for GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital) in recognition of the care Maia received when she was born and during her early years.

When she was born six weeks premature in November 2014, Maia, who weighed 3lbs 1oz, was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). 

READ MORE: Parents of St Neots toddler who underwent pioneering surgery tell of 'traumatic year'

A few days later, however, doctors diagnosed a heart murmur during a routine check.

In the next few weeks Maia failed to gain weight and Meera and Shaun, of Eaton Ford, were told Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) would carry out an interim procedure until Maia was strong enough to cope with open heart surgery.

Then, in early 2015, doctors from the hospital’s trachea team examined Maia and broke the news to the couple that the situation was even more serious.

Maia had a rare condition called long segment tracheal stenosis (narrowing of the trachea) and surgery for this had to take priority.

Six weeks after the operation, Maia was well enough to be transferred back to Hinchingbrooke where she stayed for another four weeks until she was strong enough to go home with her family.

She returned to GOSH later that year to undergo a seven-hour open heart surgery operation to repair the two holes in her heart. 

Although it was successful it was touch and go for a while. 

Maia needed a blood transfusion, suffered a cardiac arrest and over the next few days her liver and kidneys began to fail.

But, due to the excellent care she received, she pulled through and was allowed to go home just two weeks later.

Since then, Maia and her family have been raising money for GOSH.

Maia's mum, Meera Wiggett, said: "Maia was honoured two years ago to open this race for GOSH which was an amazing experience!"

"This year, they are going to complete the 5k walk/jog/run at Maia's pace knowing she has a medical condition.

Recent fundraising efforts have included a raffle at a Cambridge card show which raised £640 and a table top sale.

"We continue to raise as much as we can for GOSH and Maia's Team GOSH fund is currently at £28k," added Meera.

(Image: Ash Knotek)

(Image: Ash Knotek)