A young girl has been honoured for her incredible efforts in fundraising for heart patients.

Ivy Scott, who is seven years old and from Woolston, has raised more than £9,000 to help young heart patients.

This comes after she underwent three open heart surgeries before the age of five.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) recognised her dedication and bravery by presenting her with a Young Heart Hero Award at a national ceremony in Surrey.

The awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate inspirational children who have overcome serious heart health challenges or raised funds through dedication.

Ivy was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a life-limiting condition, during a 20-week scan.

She had her first surgery just days after birth in December 2016.

She then had further operations at seven months old and at four years old, just before she was due to start school.

Four weeks after her third surgery, she started school full-time.

Despite facing substantial physical challenges, Ivy has never let her condition hold her back.

She has been fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where she was treated, and is an ambassador for the hospital.

Ivy’s mother, Clare Bouch, said: "I am indescribably proud of Ivy.

"She takes her heart condition in her stride and is proud of her scars.

"Incredibly, through all of her challenges, she finds time to fundraise for Alder Hey and has raised more than £9,000 for them.

"She holds a Christmas fundraiser each year to ensure that patients and parents on the cardiac ward receive gifts to help make their hospital stay a little easier."

Ivy’s fundraising efforts and bravery have not gone unnoticed by the British Heart Foundation.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: "Our Young Heart Hero Awards are the most inspirational celebration, and it was such a privilege to meet outstanding children like Ivy and her family.

"I am in awe of what our extraordinary young heroes have been through, and seeing their resilience and continued passion to support the British Heart Foundation is just amazing."

The Young Heart Hero Awards were hosted by CBBC’s Dr Dan and Dr Raph Olaiya, with official sponsors Claire’s providing party games and activities.

Dr Dan Olaiya said: "It’s a common misconception that heart and circulatory disease only affects older people.

"Sadly, that isn’t the case, and there are many young people all over the world living with serious heart conditions, but the BHF’s research gives them hope."

Dr Raph Olaiya added: "We were honoured to be part of the second-ever Young Heart Hero Awards.

"The moving stories of these children who are either living with serious heart conditions or who’ve taken on incredible challenges to raise vital funds for the BHF’s lifesaving research will stay with us for a long time, and we hope their stories help inspire others."

Richard Flint, president of Europe at Claire’s, said: "This extraordinary group of young people deserved to be celebrated, and it’s been a privilege for Claire’s to be a part of the BHF’s Young Heart Awards.

"The aim of our parties is to bring some extra sparkle and magic to special events."

This festive season, the British Heart Foundation is urging people to donate to the charity to help fund its lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.

The charity's ‘a gift that keeps on living’ campaign is highlighting stories of Young Heart Heroes to show how vital the British Heart Foundation’s research is - not only for the millions of people affected by these conditions in the UK, but also for their loved ones.

To donate to the British Heart Foundation this festive season and give a gift that keeps on living, visit their website.