'Our baby would stop breathing and go into cardiac arrest - we had to carry resuscitation equipment at all times'

Charlotte Drinkwater was born on Valentine's Day in 2017. But even before she was born, it was clear she was going to have a tough start to life after she was diagnosed with spina bifida while still in the womb.

And within days of her little life, it got worse. After remaining in hospital for four weeks after her birth, she was back within a fortnight when she started to struggle breathing.

That was just the start of 10 months in hospital, and 'countless' surgeries for the brave youngster. Known as Charlie to her loved ones, she was diagnosed with a combination of complicated medical conditions, that means for much of her early life she would stop breathing and go into terrifying cardiac arrest.

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While her conditions mainly affect her respiratory system, Charlie has undergone a variety of surgeries including to her spine and brain. Charlie has now undergone countless surgeries in her life, with her parents Rebecca and Andrew learning CPR to always be at the ready.

Charlie’s mum Rebecca says: “At this point we've lost count of both the surgeries and admissions she's had over her seven plus years. RMCH staff have watched her grow up, grow stronger, become more determined and more independent, but they've also seen the horrors - so many surgeries, so many ICU stays, the highest highs and the lowest lows."

Following her most recent seven-month stay at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH) for neurosurgeries between 2022 and 2023, incredibly Charlie’s health has been at an all-time high. She is now off oxygen and her condition so stable that she no longer has to carry