A COUPLE has raised £158,000 in just 18 months for hospital unit that saved their daughter’s life.

Luna Petrucci, who was born with a two holes in her heart, was not even two years old when her life was saved thanks to treatment at the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

To show their gratitude, her parents Sergio and Emma, of Sunderland, have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have held numerous events to raise money for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

Their latest event, the annual Red Sky Ball with DJ set by Brandon Block, raised more than £25,000 alone.

The funds raised by the Petrucci family over the last 18 months will have a monumental effect on the entire region - having already helped fund two £53,000 Echocardiogram (ECHO) machines for Sunderland Infirmary and James Cook hospital.

Praising their endeavour in raising the life-changing donations, Chris Gray, chief executive officer of CHUF, said “Words cannot describe how proud we are to receive this invaluable support from the Petrucci family.

“Despite their own workload and support for their young family, they have worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to raise vital funds to support the cardiac programme in Sunderland.”

Mr Petrucci said: “We couldn’t thank them enough for what they did for us. Ours was a happy story.

“Not all of them are. all we went to do is something back, but we can’t stop now because everyone who supported us wants us to keep the ball rolling.”

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