TV medical drama role for girl who had transplant

Beatrix, from Burnopfield, will appear in the Casualty Christmas special to highlight the importance of donation

A three-year-old girl who had a life-saving organ transplant will appear on the Christmas special of Casualty to highlight the importance of donation.

Beatrix, from Burnopfield in County Durham, spent more than a year in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle waiting for a new heart.

She had her transplant in 2022 and needed multiple blood transfusions.

Her father Terry said she was now "thriving" and "owes her life" to her heart donor and the people who had given blood across the country.

"She's only here because of these amazing people," he said.

"If you saw her now and you didn't know her back story you would not have a clue what had transpired in her life so far."

As one of approximately 200 children waiting for a transplant in the UK, with only about 50 donors a year, Beatrix celebrated childhood milestones such as her first steps, words and teeth in hospital.

Beatrix's father Terry said his daughter was "thriving" after the transplant when she was two years old

Terry has since started working with the volunteer delivery service Northumbria Blood Bikes, which was approached by the BBC medical drama to be part of an episode about blood donation.

Terry, Beatrix and her mother Cheryl will feature on the festive special alongside others who have been directly affected.

The episode, All I Want for Christmas, is available on iPlayer and will be shown on BBC One at 21:20 GMT on 21 December.