Last night, cardiac patient, Robbie Anderson walked onto the Tynecastle pitch, leading his team together with Hearts Captain, Lawrence Shankland for the Scottish Premiership match against St. Mirren.
This was less than four weeks after Robbie had major cardiac surgery and in what can be described as a huge Heart Month for him and his family.
On 21 January 2025, Robbie had a Fontan procedure at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow where he has been a patient of the Scottish Paediatric Cardiac Service (SPCS), since birth. The Fontan procedure is open heart surgery to enable oxygen-poor blood from the lower body to bypass the heart and go straight to the blood vessels of the lungs.
While in both the Cardiac Ward (Ward 1E) and Paediatric Intensive Care following his surgery, Robbie was met with the friendly faces of the hospital’s cardiac nursing staff and Health Play Team.
Robbie shared with Health Play Assistant, Emma McWilliam and Cardiac Nurse Specialist, Claire Cairney, that he was a massive Hearts fan. He explained that he had a season ticket and attended the games with his dad, Richard and papa, Ronnie.
Robbie’s passion for the game, inspired Emma and Claire to reach out to Hearts. They had hoped that the team might be able to send him a signed photo or video message. However, the response they received was better than they had ever imagined.
Hearts invited Robbie with his dad and grampa for a private stadium tour last week (19th Feb) led by former manager Gary Locke. There, Robbie’s favourite player – Lawrence Shankland – was waiting for him to give him the best surprise he could ask for. He asked Robbie if he would be their team mascot for their next game (26th Feb). Needless to say, Robbie agreed.
Robbie’s mum, Emma Farrell, explained the journey that Robbie has been on and what the kind work of both the RHC staff and Hearts team means to him.
“Robbie was born with a Pulmonary Artesia, Ventricular Septal Defect and Transposition of the Great Arteries which meant surgeries from birth. He had his first at just six days old. Since then, Robbie has had a Glenn procedure which is then followed by the Fontan procedure which Robbie underwent in January.
“Following Robbie’s surgery, he was in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and the nurses were phenomenal. It makes me emotional to think about how difficult a time it was for all of us and how their care and kindness carried us through it. The reassurance they provided was great. We always feel safe when we’re at the Royal Hospital for Children. We know we’re in good hands.
“To think that staff took the time to listen to what Robbie loved and to go away and create this experience for him is unbelievable.
“Robbie has had his surgery, we are moving into a new home, and he has walked on the pitch with his heroes. This is how you kick off a new chapter. It’s excellent. Thank you to everyone involved in Robbie’s care and this experience.”
Claire Cairney, Cardiac Nurse Specialist said:
“We were delighted that Robbie is recovering well after his surgery and that he got this experience. I’m sure this is one that, when he is fully recovered, he will be telling all his pals about at school. I’d also like to highlight how our Health Play Assistant’s go above and beyond and thank Emma for her work in organising this.
“We’re the centre for all children who need a cardiac intervention across Scotland and due to the nature of their conditions, patients are generally seen by the team as outpatients either here in Glasgow or in the outreach clinics across Scotland from birth until they’re 16 or 17, when they move on to the adult service. We get to know the children and their families, and what matters most to them. In Robbie’s case, it was a love for his team!”
