Carmarthen Parents Raise £3,200 at Swansea Half Marathon After Baby’s Life-Saving Heart Surgery

A Carmarthen mum and dad have raised an incredible £3,200 for the baby heart charity, Tiny Tickers, after completing the Swansea Half Marathon last weekend. Bethan Gray (aged 32) and Tom Smith (aged 35) were inspired by their son Harri’s brave fight against congenital heart disease (CHD).

Harri was diagnosed with multiple serious heart defects at just ten weeks old, despite a healthy pregnancy and no concerns raised at routine scans. Harri was born via planned c‑section and initially appeared well, but a series of subtle signs in the weeks that followed led to a diagnosis that changed the family’s lives overnight.

At five weeks old, Harri developed severe diarrhoea and feeding difficulties. A GP detected a heart murmur and weak femoral pulses, prompting a referral to hospital. Although the local hospital initially reassured the family, further GP checks revealed ongoing concerns and Harri was urgently referred to cardiology.

Three weeks later, at his cardiology appointment, specialists discovered a narrowing of the aorta. Further tests confirmed multiple heart defects: coarctation of the aorta, a bicuspid aortic valve and left ventricle hypertrophy. His condition was critical.

“We were blindsided,” Bethan says. “We’d been reassured how common murmurs were so we never imagined it would be something so serious.”

Harri was rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital for urgent heart surgery. He spent a week in PICU facing complications and several frightening moments, before slowly recovering. After four weeks in hospital, the family were finally able to return home and begin adjusting to their new normal, alongside

During Harri’s recovery, the couple discovered Tiny Tickers, a charity dedicated to improving early detection of congenital heart defects and supporting families through diagnosis and treatment.

“We found Tiny Tickers’ resources invaluable,” Bethan said. “If heart defects are picked up during pregnancy, survival rates are significantly higher. Harri couldn’t have waited much longer; his heart was already working overtime. If this had been detected earlier, we would have been better prepared as parents. The shock added to the trauma of an already difficult time.”

Determined to raise awareness and support other families, the couple and their friends – Becca, Carrie and Beth – took on the Swansea Half Marathon to fundraise for Tiny Tickers. Their efforts raised an incredible £3,200. The money will help train sonographers, support families and improve early detection rates of heart defects across the UK, including in local hospitals.

“Tiny Tickers trains sonographers to have the confidence and skills to detect heart defects at pregnancy scans. We fully support this work.” Bethan added. “Every baby deserves the best chance.”

Tiny Tickers CEO Jon Arnold said:
“Bethan and Tom’s strength, courage and determination are extraordinary. Their fundraising will help us ensure more babies like Harri get the early diagnosis they need. We are incredibly grateful to their entire team of runners for their support.”
Harri continues to be monitored by a specialist cardiac team and is thriving at home with his family.