COURAGEOUS Charlie Marshall has offered to be an organ donor and provide the gift of life to anyone who needs it – as it was announced heart surgery will resume in phases at Leeds General Infirmary tomorrow.
The 12-year-old Laceby boy knows of the need more than most children his age, having been born with only half a heart and knowing he will one day need a heart and lung transplant.
The news came last night as North East Lincolnshire Council called for Prime Minister David Cameron to suspend Sir Bruce Keogh from his position as medical director of the NHS and Jeremy Hunt from his post as Health Secretary in the wake of the scandal.
As reported, Sir Bruce and senior Care Quality Commission managers suspended surgery at the centre over claims it had higher than average mortality rates.
But last night Leeds Teaching Hospital's Chief Executive Maggie Boyle said a review had found "no evidence of significant safety concerns in terms of governance, staffing or the management of the patient pathway for surgical care in the unit or referral to other units as required".
Charlie, who has already had 14 operations, described the team as being "like family", adding: "I trust them all."
In a presentation to his school mates at Healing School, he said: "Because my heart problem cannot be cured I will sometime in the future have to have a heart and lung transplant.
"When that will be I have no idea, but for now I am just happy to be like everyone else my age."
His dad Richard, 42, said: "Charlie enjoys visiting the children's hospice. He loves going on his Xbox and doing all the normal stuff a 12-year-old would do.
"We used to wrap him up in cotton wool, but not now."
His mum Megan, 41, added: "Each time we have gone to Leeds it has been for around eight weeks at a time. They are all brilliant."
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