Mum raising money for Gaza after son survives illness

Harriet, pictured with her family, was told by doctors her son would not survive

A mother whose "miracle" baby survived a rare illness plans to complete a four-day Sahara Desert trek to help struggling children and parents in Gaza.

Harriet, from Bristol, attended a 20-week ultrasound scan in 2020 during a Covid lockdown, where she was told her unborn baby was not expected to survive because of a lung condition.

But when Leon was born, he underwent life-saving surgery and has now grown into a "fit and healthy boy".

She said the "traumatic" experience has made her want to raise money to support families in Gaza.

Unicef has launched an appeal to help children and families in Gaza. It said many lives are threatened by "over a year of intense hostilities".

The latest conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages.

Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has now killed at least 41,825 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Harriet said it was a "miracle" Leon survived his illness, with the experience made harder by the Covid pandemic

One year after his surgery, Leon was given the all clear by doctors.

Harriet said she felt lucky to have him and it was a "miracle" he survived the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.

"It has been a combination of everything that’s been going on in Gaza and genuinely feeling really lucky to have Leon that made me decide to do the fundraiser," Harriet added.

"The loss of children and their parents. They’re heavily dependant on Unicef as a charity for support and that hit home as a mother."

Harriet hopes to raise money to help parents and their children in Gaza

The Sahara trek, which she has planned independently through a travel company, will take four days.

Harriet said she is preparing for it as much as possible.

"It's busy with work and juggling the children, but I’m trying to do as many steps as I can and doing longer walks," she said.

"I went to Bream to replicate the sand, but it's hard to prepare for desert trekking in England."

She aims to raise £2,100 for Unicef and plans to also host a raffle and a Halloween event to help towards the fundraising effort.

A spokesperson for Unicef said they were "so grateful" to Harriet for choosing to support and raise vital funds.

"It is thanks to kind and generous people like Harriet that Unicef can continue to deliver essential supplies and services," they added.

"We wish Harriet the best of luck."