One of Ipswich Town FC’s youngest fans needs your help

One of Ipswich Town’s youngest fans needs your support to raise up to £300,000 to fund life-saving surgery.

Just days after Rui Caston was born on July 20, her parents Tim and Amber’s lives were turned upside down.

Doctors found two holes in her heart, and the two main arteries carrying blood to it were in the wrong position – a condition called transposition of the great arteries or TGA.

Without an operation in the first month of her life, Rui’s parents were told she might not survive.

The couple, who were in Bali at the time where they currently live, had to make the decision to immediately fly their daughter to Singapore – after doctors ruled out flying back to the UK.

Lifelong ITFC fan Tim, an architect who was born and raised in Somersham, said: “We had to take immediate action to fly Rui out of Bali on an emergency passport while she was still fit enough to fly.

“We opted for Singapore due to the high quality of care they could provide.

“At the time, returning to the UK for treatment on the NHS just wasn’t an option – the long flight was too risky.”

Facing spiralling medical bills, they launched a Give Asia fundraising appeal and have so far raised a staggering £130,000 towards their £300,000 target.

The outpouring of love and support has meant little Rui was able to undergo her first life-saving op on August 12.

The little fighter recovered well but just days later Tim and Amber were rocked by more bad news.

Doctors discovered Rui was suffering from total heart block, a condition that causes the heart to beat more slowly or with an abnormal rhythm, and would need a pacemaker.

What’s more, surgeons found the arteries they operated on initially had narrowed, restricting blood flow to the heart. Another operation would be needed to fix it.

Medics discussed whether or not Rui was stable enough to be flown back to the UK for further treatment, but a team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, working with specialists at the KK Children’s Hospital in Singapore, where Rui is now being treated, decided it’s best for her to remain where she is for now.

On Monday, Rui underwent a second major operation to fit a pacemaker – a device the size of an Apple watch that will help regulate her heart beat.

What’s more, surgeons found the arteries they operated on initially had narrowed, restricting blood flow to the heart. Another operation would be needed to fix it.

Medics discussed whether or not Rui was stable enough to be flown back to the UK for further treatment, but a team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, working with specialists at the KK Children’s Hospital in Singapore, where Rui is now being treated, decided it’s best for her to remain where she is for now.

On Monday, Rui underwent a second major operation to fit a pacemaker – a device the size of an Apple watch that will help regulate her heart beat.

Former Ipswich School pupil, Tim, 39, said: “We were expecting it to be a relatively non-invasive operation, but Rui’s surgeon Dr Loh ended up having to reopen her chest again.

“As a result, Dr Loh took the opportunity to remove some of the scarring around her aorta, a complication of the first op.

“This wasn’t planned but it was an added bonus.”

Rui is now back in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and is recovering well, but faces the prospect of more surgery when she is stronger.

“It’s the incredible donations that have funded this operation, so we are truly grateful to each and every person who has contributed to help Rui,” Tim added.

“We are, of course, using our own savings to pay for as much of Rui’s treatment as we can, however the medical bills are substantial and we simply can’t afford to pay for it all ourselves.

“The influx of donations has been truly heartwarming, and we have been blown away by the love, support and generosity from friends, family, friends of friends and many people we’ve never even met.

“We are keeping our hopes high and we are so proud of Rui, she’s a strong, little fighter.

“Our only wish is to see Rui lead a long and happy life with her big brother, Cassius.

“I can’t wait for the day when I can bring them both to Portman Road.”

To donate and follow Rui’s journey, visit her Give Asia Fundraising Appeal here.