BABY Caleb has spent his entire life in hospital after being born with a serious heart defect – but this Sunday he will celebrate his first birthday with fresh hopes of joining his family at home after a responding well to a heart transplant in May.

Caleb O’Connell is a normal, cheeky, smiley baby who loves cuddles and is doted on by his parents Anthony and Claire, and his four brothers and sisters.

Mr O’Connell, a soldier living in Catterick Garrison with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said he and his wife have been taking it turns to live at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital in Scott House, accommodation set up especially for families of sick children.

Caleb was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome – which effectively means only half his heart has developed normally.

Mr O’Connell said: “Caleb is doing really well since the operation in May.

“He has had his ups and downs but he is getting stronger – he is able to properly lift his head now, he is more interactive with us and more independent.

“He still needs support to sit up but his head control is much better.”

Caleb’s heart condition was identified during a scan before he was born, and he has had several operations in his short life.

But his family will all be at his bedside on Sunday for a party to celebrate his first birthday – and Mr O’Connell said he hoped the day when he came come home for the first time will not be far away.

“I am pushing every day to make sure everything that needs to be done is set up so that when the chance comes for his to come home, there won’t be anything to hold us up,” he said.

“We will have continued support and some respite care to give Claire and I a break.”

The couple’s other children, aged 17, eight, six and four, have been really supportive and understanding – as the couple have made sure the younger children especially understand what is going on.

He said: “We told them little bits as soon as we knew, and have kept them informed in a way they understand.

“What’s good about Scott House is that they have made friends with other children who have sick siblings so they understand what it means for Caleb to need a new heart. It is good for them to have friends who know what they are going through.”

Mr and Mrs O'Connell take it turns through the week to be at home with the children, and to spend time with Caleb in hospital.

Scott House is a “home from home” – one of ten run by the Sick Children’s Trust to allow parents to stay close to their child and help aid their recovery.

On average, it costs the charity £28 per night to support a family in one of its homes which provide families with a private bedroom, cooking facilities, communal living rooms and playrooms for a sick child’s siblings.

Mr O’Connell said he wanted to thank kind anonymous donors who have got in touch.