The family of a young Cumbrian girl who has a rare heart condition and has spent many weeks of her life in hospital has spoken out about the support they have had.

Olivia Harrison, who turns three next month, has Ebstein’s anomaly. She underwent major heart surgery last year to fix a leaky valve at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Despite the operation initially looking like it had been a success, Olivia struggled during recovery and ended up having further surgeries.

The final one was her most crucial during which the doctors decided to fit a pacemaker in order to hopefully prevent a heart transplant later down the line.

During her treatment in hospital last year, and on previous occasions, Olivia's family, who live in Keswick, were supported by Scott House, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the Children’s Heart Unit and run by a charity, The Sick Children's Trust.

Dad Mike Harrison said: "We had been told about Scott House but had not been expecting the level of comfort, not to mention how close it was to the hospital. It felt like a real home."

Before Olivia was born, Mike and his partner, Carrie Cartwright, knew their baby had a rare heart condition. Following a 20-week scan at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, they were referred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for another scan.

"It was revealed that Olivia had just a 50% chance of survival. She had Ebstein's anomaly, a rare heart condition which accounts for just 1% of congenital heart defects, but has a significant impact on those with the condition. This affected the valve in the right ventricle of Olivia’s heart which meant that it was working less efficiently," said Mike.

"Despite what we were told, we never stopped believing in Olivia and never thought that there would be a chance that she wouldn’t survive. There was a great team of doctors who assured us that if Olivia made it through the pregnancy, there was so much they could do to help make her better."

Olivia was born on March 27, 2015, at the RVI. She was transferred immediately to Freeman Hospital, where there was a team who would be able to look after her.

"We went to Freeman Hospital as soon as we could," said Mike.

"On arrival we were told that there was a room ready and waiting for us at a place called Scott House, free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by a charity called The Sick Children’s Trust.

"We were amazed. We had been told about Scott House but had not been expecting the level of comfort. Living so far away, it was a major weight lifted off our minds.

"Everything we could’ve possible needed was there. And there was a team of people to chat to."

Olivia was discharged after two weeks at Freeman Hospital.

"We knew that at some point she would need surgery, it would be delayed as much as possible to let her grow bigger and stronger," said Mike.

"Over the next two years we travelled back and forth to Newcastle mainly for clinic appointments and various tests and procedures, some of which meant an overnight stay at Scott House."

Just before Olivia turned two, her parents were told this was the year Olivia would have surgery to repair her leaky valve.

"We were immediately terrified. We had to wait seven months before the hospital called us in and it was like a cloud hanging over us, every day we wondered if that would be the day we got the call," said Mike.

The call finally came in late August.

"Initially, the operation looked like it had gone to plan," said Mike.

"But in recovery Olivia became seriously unwell and she struggled. She was urgently put on an artificial heart machine which took over the job of her heart while hers rested, recovered and got stronger."

Olivia ended up having further surgeries. In the final one doctors fitted a pacemaker.

"Being at Scott House during this time when Olivia was at her worst was such a huge help. We could be involved in all the conversations about next steps and most importantly we could be there for Olivia.

"Olivia’s brother, Finley, missed us so much while she was in hospital and Scott House kindly set up a camp bed in our room so he could come and stay," said Mike.

"In total we spent six weeks in hospital and we are indebted to Scott House and all the staff for making our stay easier."

Nearly four months on, Olivia is doing well.

"She is more confident and has a bigger appetite. She is a real girly girl, loves everything pink and playing with her dolls.

"We’re hoping that a heart transplant won’t be needed in the future. Although she will, at the very least, need a larger artificial valve as her heart grows," said Mike.

"We go back to Freeman Hospital for checks every three months and they think she may need more procedures in the future but, for now, she is doing great."

To donate to The Sick Children's trust go to www.sickchildrenstrust.org.