THREE months since being born with a congenital heart defect, Kaiden Morrissey is facing a new battle as his parents try to raise vital funds for sensory equipment to help his development.

His mother Jess Morrissey, of Lime Kiln, in Royal Wootton Bassett, welcomed Kaiden into the world in November last year at 32 weeks and has since pledged to raise awareness of his condition after he was also diagnosed with two genetic problems.

“It is very important that people know about CHD because before Kaiden, I didn’t know,” the 28-year-old said.

“It is the importance of the 20-week scan that needs highlighting and it isn’t just about finding out whether you have a boy or girl.

"The main point is to find out if something is wrong.

“It is things like sensory equipment that will help Kaiden with his development, as with his genetic imbalances we don’t know what we are dealing with until he is older.”

At their 20-week scan, Mrs Morrissey, along with her husband Stephen, were told that Kaiden would suffer with CHD, more specifically a tetralogy of fallot - a defect which involves at least three anatomical abnormalities of the heart.

After spending nine days in intensive care at the Great Western Hospital, they were then told he would need open heart surgery, which they anticipate will happen in the next two months, to make sure he can lead a normal life.

Jess said: “The whole thing has been a whirlwind and we have three healthy children previously and so it was a bit of a shock really when we found out about the CHD.

"We asked doctors why but all they said was that it was just bad luck and one of those things.

“My other three children are taking it in their stride.

"My eldest Thomas, who is ten, was so scared to visit him at first in hospital, but now he is constantly holding him and helping in whatever way he can.

“It is small things like not being able to give him a bath yet, which make you realise how much you take them for granted in a healthy child.

"It is hard living with CHD and I applaud people who have been living with it for years.”

Jess has set herself the target of raising £500 for the equipment and is currently a fifth of the way.

Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.gofundme.com/KaidensSensory