A woman who had to undergo emergency “life-saving” surgery days before Christmas, is now bringing the festive season to sick children in hospital.
Calli Tully, from North Tyneside, was born with a hole in her heart.
The NHS worker lived her life as normal until one day, when disaster struck, while she was attending a regular scan.
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Doctors found a dangerous mass in the organ – with Calli scheduled for emergency surgery just days before the holidays were due to begin.
The young woman was scared and heartbroken at the idea of spending Christmas Day alone in a hospital bed.
Thankfully, the surgery went well and she recovered in time to go home and be with her family – but the harrowing experience stuck with her.
The 17-year-old, who was admitted to the children’s ward, wanted to find a way to “give something back” to others.
“I thought it would be horrible to spend Christmas Day away from my family in the hospital,” Calli, who was recently shortlisted for a Pride of Britain Award, told Need To Know.
“When they told me I could go home, I couldn’t have been happier.
“But, while I was being showered with gifts from my loved ones, all I could think about was those on the same ward who weren’t as lucky as me.
“There were such poorly children and I felt for them.
“Some were recovering from heart operations, like me, and others were waiting for transplants.
“They deserved to have a special Christmas – so I decided to give something back.”
Calli quickly set about raising money to buy gifts for those on the ward.
The year after her surgery, she and her family arrived with a sack full of wrapped presents to hand out.
Emotions ran high as fellow families told her she had brought them and their children “hope”.
Calli, now 27 years old, has been carrying on the tradition for 10 years through ‘Calli’s Heart Campaign’.
With donations pouring in, she’s been able to adorn the ward in huge inflatable snowman and candy cane balloons, as well as working alongside Santa to bring the festive spirit.
She’s consistently raised £2,000 in cash each Christmas, plus donated toys.
Calli will be back in the children’s ward to spread joy this Christmas Eve.
Though, the experiences have not come without heartbreak.
She said: “Sadly, some children don’t make it home at all – let alone for Christmas.
“It plays on my mind endlessly.
“If I can help them celebrate it one last time and bring that festive magic each child deserves, then I have done my job.
“It’s children like this who make me want to keep going.
“My life and those of so many others have been saved on that ward, so I will keep going back to give them something to smile about.”
Calli has also expanded her mission to Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween.
The NHS worker added: “I’ve come to quickly realise how precious life is.
“I don’t do this for publicity, I do it for the kids.
“If they can’t come home for Christmas, then I will be bringing it to them.”
