A BABY is going from strength to strength after being born with his bowel, liver and stomach outside his body.

Victoria and Ashley Jones found out their son, George, had a condition called Exomphalos Major at Victoria’s 12-week scan.

His prognosis was so bad, the couple were told to consider ending Victoria’s pregnancy.

But Victoria and Ashley decided to carry on with the pregnancy and George survived.

He was born at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridgeshire, at the end of August and when he was ten -weeks-old underwent a seven hour operation to put his bowel, stomach and liver inside his body.

George also has a number of heart defects and will need surgery to that in the future.

The little fighter is now 18 weeks old and while he has spent most of his life in hospital, his parents have been able to be close by thanks to the Sick Children’s Trust.

Ashley, of Connies Road, Halstead, is now planning to walk 106km around the Isle of Wight in one weekend to raise money for the trust as a way of thanking it for its support. He will be accompanied by his father, Mark, and sister, Lisa.

He said: “I was handed the keys to a room in Chestnut House, Home from Home living by The Sick Children’s Trust. Thanks to this room, I was able to be close to both of the two people that needed me close by.

“Once Victoria was discharged from the hospital, she was able to join me in Chestnut House.

“We have stayed there for 12 weeks, being able to be close to our son.”

Ashley is cautious about the walk. He added: “I am not much of a walker, I have never completed anything like this in my life, so it will be a real challenge.

“I know it is nothing compared to what George goes through on an almost daily basis.

“We have spent 12 weeks here, completely free of charge, and we are both really passionate about paying something back.”

The group have set themselves a target of raising £2,000, but Ashley is confident he will embark on more fundraising feats in the future.

He hopes, eventually, to raise £1,000 for every week he and Victoria have been given a room near the hospital.

To donate to his fundraising, visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ash-jones87.