A devastated mother has who has had to accept that her daughter is 'unlikely' to live past her teenage years is raising money for the hospice that gives her family “amazing support”.

Maria Tottman is raising awareness of Isabella’s story as part of this year’s Christmas appeal for Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green.

Isabella, now 12, was born with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome, a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart, and her mum was told it would be a ‘miracle’ if she survived the night.

In the first few months of her life her kidneys failed and her liver stopped functioning.

She also had a build up of fluid in the brain and had to have emergency surgery on Christmas Eve to drain it.

The fluid crushed the brain against her skull causing damage to the vital organ and optic nerves. Since then she has had countless operations and hospital stays.

Isabella first went into the hospice aged just 11 months.

Although Isabella turns 13 this month, doctors currently say she is ‘unlikely’ to live past her teenage years.

Isabella doesn’t really understand what this means as her learning and mental capacity is similar to a five-year-old.

Her mother has struggled to accept that she is terminally ill and without family or friends to turn to Haven House gave her the ‘vital’ support she needs.

She said: “When I first started coming to the hospice, the nurses made me realise that I didn’t have to do this on my own any more.

“They really were the only support I had and they quickly became an extension to my family.

“Without Haven House I’m not sure we would have made it this far.

“The amazing staff have helped us through some very tough periods and with their help, I have found the strength to give Isabella the best possible life for however long that may be.

“I know that when the time comes to say goodbye, Haven House will be there to support the whole family as long as we need it.

“You cannot overestimate how much that means to me.”

To make a donation, call 020 8498 5841 or visit www.havenhouse.org.uk/isabellasappeal

Haven House will be holding a Christmas Concert at 4pm on December 12 at Woodford Baptist Church in George Lane, South Woodford.