Teenager with pacemaker honoured by heart charity

Maisie Robertson, 14, was honoured by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) with a Heart Hero award.

The 3rd Bishop’s Waltham Girl Guides member had to undergo open heart surgery several times, starting when she was only a few days old.

She has a pacemaker, but this doesn’t stop her getting involved in all the activities on offer at the Meon Valley troop.

She has been a member of the Guides for the past four years,

In that time she has rock-climbed and tree-climbed, fenced, ice-skated and taken part in night hikes and sleep-overs.

Maisie has also been on an international Guiding trip to Switzerland.

She said: ‘I didn’t think I deserved an award because I raised money for the BHF as a thank you for everything they have done for me.’

Maisie raised her charity funds by selling cakes and bracelets.

Guide leader Nicola Heron, said: ‘We are all really proud of Maisie.

‘She is an inspiration to all of us. Maisie fulfils her Guide promise to do her best every day in everything she does.’

Maisie added: ‘I enjoy Guides because it is a break from everything.

‘The best things so far at Guides have been the Big Gig band concert and helping sort out Christmas toys and gifts for children and young people who might otherwise go without.’

For more information about BHF Heart Hero awards, go to bhf.org/heartheroes.