A DAD is aiming to make his daughter's dreams come true after she was born with seven heart defects.

Graeme Healey, who lives in Stroud, has set-up a wish list of things that 10-year-old Millie - known as Millie the Miracle - would love to achieve in spite of her fragile health.

Within the first 12 months of her life, Millie flatlined, had two strokes and three open heart surgeries – the first when she was just 10 days old.

Millie has over the years been transferred to different hospitals including Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Evelina London Children's Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The family believe that seven heart defects is unprecedented - and brave Millie is now due to undergo another major operation.

Due to the pandemic, she has been pretty much housebound with her last trip out being to London for testing to ensure she was okay for her next stage of surgery - she passed this.

To make sure Millie - who lives in Gloucester with her mother - makes the most of every second, dad Graeme and the family are fundraising to make a specially chosen wish list come true.

On the list are trips to the top of Big Ben, a visit to the London Eye and being able to travel to as many places with wheelchair access within the UK.

Another thing on the list is to have a days work experience with her dad at the Tesco where he works in Gloucester - and she would like a mini version of the uniform to wear.

So far over £1,000 has been raised.

The target to make her wishlist become a reality is is £5,000.

"Millie's day to day life varies," explained Graeme.

"Some days she struggles to do school work, other days she can be seen on the trampoline with her three brothers.

"A wonderful thing about her though is she always approaches everything with a smile on her face.

"She could teach adults a lot about gratitude.

"With the wish list, she doesn't want stuff.

"She wants her brothers, 16-year-old Max, 15-year-old Sam and 11-year-old Ben to be with her – she wants to do things which are family-based.

"Millie is quite adoring of her brothers – she has got quite a lot of love within her.

"She is also obsessed with Big Ben – she dreams to go up Big Ben and the London Eye and visit the National Space Centre in Leicester.

"All of these things cost money which is why we would like to get the fundraiser started as soon as possible.

"There has been an overwhelming response to the fundraiser in the first few weeks

“We will just do whatever it takes to make her smile, we just want to make that little girls' dreams come true.

"Millie is just 10 but is owning it.

"She is in a mainstream school which in itself is remarkable as there were doubts that she would be able to.

"The school has been great throughout.

"She is a determined little girl - anyone who meets her is instantly won over.

"Everything is now geared towards making her wish list a reality."

To support the family's appeal go to bit.ly/3M3ahXv