Derbyshire youngster thanks charity after life-saving heart surgery

A Derbyshire youngster who survived a life-threatening heart condition has presented a £2,000 cheque to thank those who helped save her life.
River Mai Bishop, granddaughter of Permagroup managing director Adrian Buttress, presents a donation of £2,000 to Heart Link.River Mai Bishop, granddaughter of Permagroup managing director Adrian Buttress, presents a donation of £2,000 to Heart Link.
River Mai Bishop, granddaughter of Permagroup managing director Adrian Buttress, presents a donation of £2,000 to Heart Link.

River Mai Bishop, granddaughter of roofing company Permagroup managing director Adrian Buttress, presented a donation of £2,000 to Heart Link Children’s Charity.

The regional children’s charity provided support and care to the youngster when she had lifesaving heart surgery just days after she was born.

River was born on July 7, 2019, and eight days later she had a major seven-and-a-half-hour operation at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, to enlarge her heart.

As a thank you, her grandfather was determined to raise money for Heart Link through his business – which is based in Somercotes.

The firm has also just celebrated its 20th year trading.

Adrian said: “The support our family received from Heart Link was truly incredible and so, when it came to selecting Permaroof’s first official charity at the start of 2020, it was clear what our choice was going to be.

“2020 marked 20 years since Permaroof opened its doors and – to celebrate our birthday – we decided to give back and pay it forward following a very successful year.

"What better way to give back than to a charity that has personally given so much to my own family.

“The past 12 months have been turbulent for all due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but particularly for charities like Heart Link who don’t receive any government funding.”

The donation marks the end of Permaroof’s most successful year to date, with several record months including a 26 per cent increase in sales in May 2020 compared to 2019 and a staggering 86 per cent increase when comparing June 2019 to 2020.

Adrian added: "I will forever be grateful to the team at Heart Link for everything they’ve done to support River, who’s an absolute joy and full of character.”

For more information on Permaroof UK, visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.

To find out more about Heart Link, visit www.heartlink-glenfield.org.uk.

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