A MOTHER whose young son needs a heart transplant has made an emotional online plea to encourage people to consider organ donation.

Kate Perkins has created a moving video chronicling 20-month-old Archie’s battle to raise awareness during his indefinite wait for a new heart.

Shortly after he was born, it was discovered that Archie’s blood flow around his body was being restricted due to a narrowing of the aorta.

He was taken for treatment at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital where it became clear his condition was serious.

Archie required specialist treatment and care, so was transferred over five hours away from home in Lower Quinton, near Stratford-upon-Avon, to the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

In June, Mrs Perkins and her husband Nick were told he would need a heart transplant, and they have been waiting in Newcastle for a lifesaving organ to become available ever since.

During their time in the region the couple have been helped by The Sick Children’s Trust, a charity that keeps families together by providing free-of-charge Home from Home accommodation at Scott House.

Mrs Perkins has pledged to give something back to the charity and is running the Great North Run in September to raise money.

She said: “I felt that alongside completing the Great North Run, which is giving me something to focus on and will raise awareness for The Sick Children’s Trust, the video will raise awareness of the importance of organ donation which is a lifeline to so many.

“I’m just a mum who is trying to do her bit and raise awareness while I don’t know what will come tomorrow, while my life is on hold for now.”

Mrs Perkins has already trebled her fundraising target of £300, reaching £950 on her Just Giving page.

Scott House manager Andrew Leadbitter said: “When Kate showed us the video, we were all really moved by it.

“It tackles something which at the moment is a very important issue by telling the story through Archie, a little boy who is actually in need of a heart. It was very emotional.

“We have got to know Kate and Nick very well over the last couple of months and admire their attitude and their drive to take action.

“We’d like to thank Kate so much for doing the Great North Run for us and we will be there to cheer her along to the finish line.”

To support Mrs Perkins visit www.justgiving.com/Kate-Corbally-Perkins