A brave wee Angus lass awaiting life-saving surgery is hoping Troublemaker Olly Murs might make her bucket list dreams come true.
Arbroath seven-year-old Ruby Walker is awaiting a life-saving double lung transplant to help her overcome the cystic fibrosis which has left her requiring constant oxygen for virtually all of her life.
As mum Diane awaits the call from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital which will trigger the mercy dash when a potential donor is found, battling Ruby has put together her own list of dreams she hopes might happen before then.
A chance to meet number one sensation Murs tops the Hayshead primary youngster’s list, but she also hopes to be a queen for a day, go to Hamleys toy shop, hold a monkey as a zoo keeper and become famous in the countdown to the major op.
Mum Diane explained that Ruby was diagnosed with CF at just two weeks old.
“There was no history of it in family genes so it was a bit of a shock and within her first six months Ruby was quite unwell, which left her oxygen-dependent,” she said.
“Because she hasn’t really known any different she just gets on with things and is still going to school most of the time.
“But she can’t wait to be able to go out with her friends.
“She now only has 30% of her lung function so there wasn’t another choice in terms of having her name added to the transplant list, but we now have this situation that she has to be well enough to make it through the operation if a donor becomes available.
“She first went down to Freeman Hospital in May and has been on the transplant list since October, so we are now just waiting for the call, but obviously her age makes things more difficult,” added Diane.
A visit by Ruby’s uncle John sparked the bucket list idea and the little girl’s dreams are being broadcast far and wide on Facebook and Twitter under the #Rubysdreams hashtag.
“John’s from Kent and doesn’t get to spend as much time as he would like with her so he wanted to try to do something to make her a bit happier,” added Diane.
“Ruby came up with all the ideas and meeting Olly Murs was top of her list – she’s always loved him.
“At the moment it is just about trying to manage her condition but we hope someone might be able to help her tick things off her bucket list, and hopefully this might also raise a bit of awareness about cystic fibrosis,” said Diane, who can be contacted by email at diboyd3112@gmail.com.
