A QUARRY Bank school held a fundraising day to say a big thank you to the hospital which saved the life of brave pupil Ryan Andrews.

Ryan, who attends Quarry Bank Primary, was born with a congenital heart defect and has endured five open heart surgery operations since he was eight days old at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Pupils at the High Street school paid a pound to wear a bandage to support the hospital’s Big Bandage Appeal - they also took part in a walk and balloon release.

Ryan, who has been home tutored since his latest surgery in March, went back into school for the fundraiser last Wednesday (July 10) joining his siblings Lauren, aged ten and Liam, aged four, who are both pupils.

In March - the 11-year-old, of White City Road, underwent emergency surgery which saved his life after his left pulmonary artery collapsed into his lung.

His mum Kelly Andrews said the operation had also given him a new lease of life.

She said: “It was touch and go at one point - they saved him - I can’t thank them enough.

“He was in intensive care for six days and in hospital for a month.

“He used to be tired all the time and would come home from school and go straight to bed, but now he is out on his bike - it has changed his quality of life so much.

“We held the fundraiser to say a huge thank you to the hospital.”

Kelly also thanked the school and family and friends for their support as well as Quarry Bank businesses who donated prizes for a raffle and her friend Sonia Pinches who held a collection which raised more than £100 for the appeal which has topped £1,000 in the last few days.

Kelly said Ryan will always have to receive treatment but he “copes really well and is so brave.”