When Alex Smith gave birth to her daughter Georgina, she said she knew “something was wrong with her baby”.

The Kings Langley resident said that Georgina would often turn blue and in contrast to her first child, she found it difficult to bond with her.

But despite raising her concerns with midwives and doctors, it was not until 2009, when Georgina was two, that she was diagnosed with heart condition Ebstein’s Anomaly.

Now the Smith family are campaigning to raise as much money as possible for the Children’s Heart Federation.

Mrs Smith, of Ridgeway Close, explained: “When Georgina was born she had this very blue tint to her skin and I found it hard to bond with her. I told doctors this repeatedly, but they would say it was nothing.

“It may sound terrible to say this, but when Georgina was diagnosed there was a small sense of relief – I had been right in thinking there was something wrong.

“The way she reacted to things, her shyness, her anxiety, and the problems we were experiencing were in fact due to her heart condition.”

Ebstein’s Anomaly, which affects one in 250,000 people, impacts on how blood is able to get to the lungs.

In severe cases, the condition can result in heart failure.

As a result, Georgina has had to undergo numerous scans and frequent trips to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

According to her family, she is affected by Ebstein’s Anomaly on a daily basis - she becomes breathless, tired, puffy and blue around the eyes and mouth.

And her parents said that Georgina experiences extreme anxiety when meeting new people, particularly in hospitals and when being examined by medical staff.

Through the Children’s Heart Federation, they were told of a play therapy, which would help with Georgina’s unease, but they need to raise cash for the scheme.

Mrs Smith said: “Like a number of charities and organisations, money is tight at the moment.

“We’re trying to raise money for the Children’s Heart Federation for the play therapy.

“Georgina would need ten to 12 sessions, which would work out at about £480.

“But she is on a list – so the money we raise wouldn’t necessarily be spent directly on her.

“We would have to wait our turn for her therapy. That’s why we are aiming to raise as much cash as possible for the charity, so that Georgina can be treated, as can others affected.

“In the future it is likely she is going to need a heart valve repair, but in the meantime we have to remind her to take breaks as she does not understand her limits yet.

“She’s a lovely, bubbly girl, who has gone through so much at such a young age.

“Few people know about Ebstein’s Anomaly, that’s why we’re determined to raise cash for and awareness of the condition.”

To donate money visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GeorginaSmith1