A FAMILY from Woodham Mortimer has won the top prize at The Pride of Essex Awards this year.

The Day family, consisting of three-year-old Rosie, mother Sara and father Barry, won the “Ultimate Award” at the ceremony held at Anglia Ruskin University on Tuesday last week.

In December last year, Rosie suffered a cardiac arrest which required CPR from her mother, spending last Christmas in Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

She was eventually found to be in end stage of heart failure, and was placed on a mechanical heart whilst waiting for a suitable replacement.

Her parents realised there was a massive shortage of donors for children, so they decided to publicise the shortage to raise awareness.

The story travelled fast and wide resulting in a significant following on social media, which now numbers in the thousands.

As a direct result of the parents’ devotion, hundreds of people got on contact and the list began to grow, with Rosie finally receiving the gift of a new heart in early July, even after suffering a number of strokes and two brain bleeds.

Following this agonising eight month wait and successful transplant, Sara and Barry agreed to allow the working valves of Rosie’s old heart to be used to help other children, and Rosie was discharged from Great Ormond Street on September 28.

She now receives extensive neuro-rehabilitation at Tadworth hospital, but this has not stopped her from spreading the word and achieving great things.

Since her struggle began her bravery has been of great interest encouraging many large organizations to select Cardio-Myopathy UK as their chosen charity.

She also appeared on DIY SOS the big build at GOSH and has also had an Eddie Stobart lorry named after her.

To top all this, the family are on track to raise almost £100,000 for various charities this year.

Dana Thomas, a nominator of the Day family, said: “The whole family have managed Rosie’s illness with a dignity that the rest of us can only hope to aspire to.

“All the while their daughter was seriously ill, waiting for a heart to become available, not only did they encourage people to have that difficult discussion and register for organ donation, they also set up children’s first aid training, including C.P.R.

“There can’t be a more deserving family in the Pride of Essex Awards.”

Visit www.prideofessexawards.org.uk.