Heart patient Ivanna, 5, thriving after life-saving surgery and ready for big moment

“Thank you for bringing our little girl home,” say the parents of a five-year-old whose battle for life-saving surgery touched the hearts of Sunderland and beyond.

An incredible £250,000 was raised by the family of Ivanna Potts, and the huge generosity of people, businesses and organisations touched by their campaign, to send the schoolgirl for specialist heart surgery in Boston after Ivanna’s options on the NHS became limited.

It was an overwhelming wave of support for the Red House youngster who travelled to America for the complex 12-hour procedure in March.

Now, seven months later, Ivanna is back home, attending school, running around and enjoying the childhood experiences that once seemed so uncertain and she’s set to step into the spotlight in what will be an emotional full circle moment.

To thank all those who supported her, Ivanna will be returning to Ashbrooke Sports Club to flick the switch on the Red Sky Foundation firework display, which takes place on Wednesday, November 4.

It will be a marked difference to last year when Ivanna - who was born with a severe form of congenital heart disease known as hypoplastic right heart and heterotaxy syndrome - turned on the lights while still in need of treatment.

Although Ivanna will continue to require specialist medical care and interventions in the UK, including appointments in London every three months, her progress has been remarkable, and her family are delighted to see her enjoying everyday life without constantly struggling for breath.

Ivanna’s parents, Jack Potts and Shannon Green, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped give their daughter a brighter future.

They said: “Within weeks, your kindness helped us raise the funds Ivanna needed to receive specialist care and interventions in Boston.

“Now she is home, thriving, going to school, running around and enjoying childhood without constantly feeling breathless.

“There are no words for what this means to us. Thank you to everyone in the North East and beyond who donated, shared our story and supported us.

“We are especially grateful to the Red Sky Foundation for standing by us and helping make this journey possible, including arranging our flights to Boston.”

They added: “Ivanna will still need ongoing specialist care and interventions here in the UK, including trips to London every three months, as well as continued support from her medical teams. It is a lot to take in, but today she is home and living the life every child deserves.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for bringing our little girl home.”

Among those supporting the family’s appeal was North East cardiac charity Red Sky Foundation, which pledged 100% of the general admission ticket profits from its November 2025 Fireworks Extravaganza towards Ivanna’s fundraising campaign.

The charity also helped the family with their journey to America by arranging their flights to Boston.

Sergio Petrucci MBE, founder of Red Sky Foundation, said: “Ivanna’s story has touched every single one of us at Red Sky Foundation. Last year, we watched a family fighting to give their little girl a chance at life, and we saw the most extraordinary response from people across the North East who came together to make that possible.

“To see Ivanna now, back home with her family and doing so well after everything she has been through, is absolutely wonderful. It’s the outcome we were all hoping and praying for.”

Tickets

This year’s event takes place on Wednesday November 4 at Ashbrooke Sports Club (to avoid clashing with SAFC’s Europa fixture), with gates opening at 4.30pm and the fireworks display beginning at 8pm.

General admission tickets are priced at £7.50, while VIP tickets cost £25 and include exclusive access to the clubhouse, a complimentary drink and a hot buffet. Children under two can attend free of charge.

You can buy tickets here: https://uk.emma-live.com/redskyfireworks/tickets