Verity’s Story

The words thank you just aren’t enough. It was such an important step in helping Verity get the treatment she needed and helping her get better.

Katie and Gareth, Verity's parents

Verity Nuttall from Congleton, Cheshire loves to perform. From tap dancing and theatre to drawing and drama club, she is happiest when she’s busy and on the move. But just months earlier, in September 2025, the eleven-year-old faced one of the most challenging moments of her life when she needed urgent specialist heart surgery. Her journey back to the dance floor was far from straightforward and included an unexpected transfer with the National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA).

Verity was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) when she was just six months old. Despite living with a serious heart condition her whole life, she had managed well for many years, with only occasional setbacks. However, during a family holiday in Devon last summer, she became increasingly unwell and was admitted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Verity has since dubbed this difficult chapter of her life the start of her “dramatic downfall”.

Doctors learnt the leak in her mitral valve was severe and had progressively worsened, meaning around 70% of her blood was flowing in the wrong direction. When medication was no longer helping, it became clear Verity would need surgery to repair the valve. Her consultant recommended a specialist surgeon based at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

With time critical and Verity needing to be transferred safely, the National Children’s Air Ambulance was called in by one of its Clinical Partner Teams, the North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service (NWTS), to carry out the journey.

For Verity, the thought of travelling in a helicopter for the first time was daunting.

“I was really nervous,” she said. “I didn’t want the helicopter to fall.”

For her mum, Katie, the morning of the transfer was equally emotional and stressful. But she says everything changed when the crew arrived.

“The moment the team walked in, I just felt this sense of calm,” she said. “You could immediately tell Verity was in good hands.”

Katie travelled with Verity on the helicopter, focussing on what mattered most – that her daughter was safe and on her way to the help she needed.

The flight took just 48 minutes, saving 4 hours and 49 minutes compared to travelling by road. The helicopter landed at a nearby airport, where a land ambulance completed the short journey to Freeman Hospital.

Katie said: “Coming off the helicopter and stepping onto the landing pad was overwhelming. There were so many people there just for Verity. When you step back, it’s incredible to realise this service is there for your child when you need it most.”

Verity even found her own special way to say thank you. After accidentally leaving her water bottle on the helicopter, she kindly donated it to NCAA Crew Member Lonnie. She has since named her Jellycat dragon after him, so she always has a reminder of the journey and the crew who helped her.

Verity’s Dad, Gareth, stayed at home as long as possible to care for her siblings before driving up to Newcastle the day before her surgery.

Following a short time in the High Dependency Unit, Verity underwent open heart surgery on 5 September to repair her valve. Her parents fondly remember receiving a call the next morning.

“At 8.30am the nurse rang to say Verity was asking for her mum and dad, demanding we come to see her,” they said. “She’s never lost the assertiveness and we hope she never does.”

Thankfully, Verity’s recovery went well and she was discharged just one week after her surgery. Although she had to take precautions for a while to avoid infection, she gradually regained her strength and energy.

“There were some small wobbles, but once they found the right combination of medication, she really started improving,” Katie shared.

Now in Year 7, Verity is back doing what she loves most. She has joined drama club, recently passed her tap-dancing exam, performed in ‘We Will Rock You’ at the local theatre and is preparing to be one of the principal dancers in her school’s summer production of Fame. At home, she also enjoys spending time with her pet gecko, Gorka, named after her favourite Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer.

Looking back, Katie and Gareth say they will always be grateful.

“The words thank you just aren’t enough,” her parents said. “It was such an important step in helping Verity get the treatment she needed and helping her get better.”

Today, Verity is focused on school, dancing and performing, and simply enjoying being a young girl – something her family will never take for granted.