By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:12, Friday, 01 March 2013

A community has rallied around a young girl who is urgently waiting for a heart transplant.

Katelyn McAleavy

Eight-year-old Katelyn McAleavy, of Mirehouse, Whitehaven, has been told that without the life-saving operation she will run out of time within months.

The St Begh’s School pupil suffers from a serious heart defect which means only half of it works properly. After four major operations, including having a pacemaker fitted, the family received the devastating news in November that Katelyn’s heart has failed again.

With a transplant her only option – and the number of donors limited to young people because of Katelyn’s age and associated size – her family could do nothing but wait.

More than three months later, and with no sign of a donor, Katelyn’s mum Amy Lamb and grandparents Joy and Steven launched a countywide awareness appeal.

Since going public about 10 days ago, the family have been astounded at the public response.

Steven said: “People have messaged us saying they have joined the register, and links have been retweeted on social messaging sites by people in France and Germany.

“The support has just been fantastic – Katelyn is a little overwhelmed by it I think. She has become a bit of a celebrity and is getting cards and letters which is wonderful.”

Katelyn is being treated by the Children’s Heart Unit, at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle

In a bid to keep highlighting Katelyn’s plight and to raise much-needed funds for the unit, two of Steven’s colleagues from Sellafield have pledged to cycle the 140 miles from Whitehaven to Tynemouth – and back – in about 36 hours.

Rob Motley and Steve Gyles will set off from Whitehaven early on Saturday July 6, aiming to reach Whitley Bay that night.

A quick sleep later, and the pair will be embarking on their return journey back to Whitehaven.

They aim to raise awareness of the need for organ donors, as well as raising £1,000 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund.

For more information, or to pledge your support, visit www.justgiving.com/katelyn-chuf

The News & Star’s sister paper, The Cumberland News, launched its own organ donor awareness campaign – Promise Life – almost 10 months ago, on the first anniversary of the death of little Mackenzie Wealleans.

The youngster, from Botcherby, Carlisle, needed a new heart and died just weeks before his second birthday after 60 days at the top of the international transplant waiting list.

Promise Life aims to raise awareness of the issue and encourage more people to sign the organ donor register.

First published at 11:59, Friday, 01 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk