A TWO-YEAR-OLD toddler has undergone major surgery to ‘mend her broken heart’.

Little Charlie-Rose Crawshaw was born with a life-threatening ‘hole’ in her heart.

But doctors were so impressed with the tot’s bravery since the emergency surgery they have given her a ‘special bravery award’.

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Samantha Campbell said her nightmare began when a hospital scan revealed her daughter suffered from a narrowing of the heart vessels requiring immediate open heart surgery.

Described by her mum as a ‘little fighter’ Charlie-Rose went under the knife the next day at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Samantha, of Maria Street, Darwen, said: “It has been a really scary time for the whole family but now that the surgery is over with, Charlie-Rose is doing really well.

“She has been amazing.”

The youngster, who attends Marshmallow’s Day Nursery in Marsh House Lane, Darwen, has been left with a five inch scar on her chest.

Samantha, 30, said: “Charlie-Rose got a certificate of braveness for her time in hospital. She was given the bravest little girl title.

“The whole family is really proud of her.

“She doesn’t really know what’s going on but she has been showing off her zip, the five inch scar that runs down her middle.

“It all happened so quickly and we didn’t really understand what was going on.

“She was in and out of hospital as a small baby with chest infections and we knew she wasn’t right. But for her to be whipped in straight away was quite overwhelming.

“She had an appointment one day and they booked her in the day after for her op to mend her broken heart.”

Doctors said the Peppa Pig-mad youngster was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta in September, which means part of the aorta is narrower than usual and can lead to high blood pressure.

This came as a shock to the family who knew she already needed treatment for a hole in the heart.

She also suffers from RAS, Reflex Anoxic Seizures, a condition triggered by fright or an attack and can cause the heart to stop or the body to have a seizure.

After a few seconds the heart starts beating again and the body relaxes. Despite looking frightening the seizures are not life-threatening.

Charlie-Rose’s family have been specially trained in CPR to deal with them.

The mum-of-one Samantha, who is studying for a degree in Positive Practice at Blackburn College, said: “RAS is another condition that Charlie-Rose has and that’s something else we have to deal with.

“Any unexpected fright or surprise can trigger an attack. But I know how to do resuscitation and it’s not life-threatening.

“We are so lucky to have Charlie-Rose here with us and that’s all that matters.

“She is an amazing little girl and has shown true courage.”

A ‘Soul Fever’ fundraising event will be held at Darwen’s Masonic Hall on November 2 from 8pm with all funds going to Alder Hey Children’s charity. Entry costs £6.