Two sisters born with a life-threatening heart condition have been unable to enjoy their childhood - until now.

Five-year-old Emma and two-year-old Mia Grant, from Petteril Bank, Carlisle, are living with a genetic heart defect called long QT syndrome which puts them at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

To protect them, mum Kerry - who has also been diagnosed with the condition - must ensure they are always within quick reach of a heart-starting defibrillator machine in case of emergency.

This means the girls have spent most of their childhood at home, knowing there is a machine at nearby Petteril Bank school. As a result they rarely go out on trips or walks for fear there won’t be one available.

Single mum Kerry had been desperately trying to raise enough money to buy a portable AED (Automated External defibrillator), so she could finally give them the freedom they crave. But at a cost of about £1,000, she said it seemed an impossible task.

However, after spotting her fundraising page, a national charity has stepped in to help. Jamie Richards, chief executive of AED Donate, travelled to Carlisle this week to hand over the kit.

A tearful Kerry said it has already changed their lives.

“This is an absolute lifeline for us. I daren’t take them far from home. Emma goes to school, and there is a defibrillator on the school building, but we never really go anywhere else. I’m too worried.

“We’ve been trained in how to use an AED but as a single mum, I’d never have been able to afford one myself.

“It’s like all our Christmases have come at once. I feel overwhelmed. When they rang to tell us, I cried. I couldn’t believe it. This could save their lives.”

Kerry explained that it was her mum, Tracy Grant, of Wigton, who was first diagnosed with the heart defect. The news that it was genetic, and had been passed to them all, was a bombshell.

“It wasn’t long after Emma was born,” explained Kerry. “Mum had gone to the doctor with heart palpitations and chest pain.

“It turned out to be something called long QT syndrome. We’d never heard of it.”

Doctors explained it as an inherited heart rhythm problem, where the heart muscle takes longer than normal to recharge between beats. In some people, it can cause fainting or fits. In others, if the heart can’t correct itself, it can be fatal.

“You could have a cardiac arrest. That’s a constant worry,” said Kerry. “It can be brought on by anything - from something as small as a knock at the door or falling asleep.

“Exercise and the heat have a very negative impact on my children’s health, causing blackouts for which they have to be hospitalised immediately. You have to be prepared to phone an ambulance immediately if anything happens.”

Kerry said had her mum not been diagnosed, none of them would know about it.

“There’s a 50/50 chance of passing it on so they tested everyone in the family,” she said. “They found that I had it, Emma also had it and when Mia was born, she had it too.

“We’ve been back and forward to hospital in Newcastle ever since. It’s really a watch and wait situation.

“Emma recently started to feel faint and was going pale, so she’s been started on Beta blockers.”

Jamie said the charity is delighted to be able to answer the Grants prayers.

“Our aim is to place defibrillators in the community, or help with special cases like these. To date we have placed 1,500 nationwide,” he said.

“We found out about this family through their justgiving page, and managed to track Kerry down. It’s just great to be able to help. It feels amazing.

“This is the first time I’ve met Kerry, but it’s clear how big a worry this has been for her. They can now take this everywhere with them. It’s really portable.”

The charity even personalised the case with unicorns and other cute badges for Emma and Mia.