My Story

Hi everyone, I am Mitchell (or Mr Elliott to my pupils) and in April 2026, I will be putting my own heart through its paces by running the London Marathon to raise money for the Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation (ECHO), an amazing charity that supports children with congenital heart disease, and their families.

A Bit About Me 

As a baby, I was diagnosed with a heart condition that required life-saving open-heart surgery to correct it. At 10-months-old, a fantastic team or doctors, surgeons and nurses fixed my defective heart, enabling me to live a full and healthy life. It was around this time that my mum was introduced to ECHO and throughout my childhood my mum and I were supported by this fantastic charity. 

At 11, I underwent more open-heart surgery at the Evelina hospital and then, most recently in May 2025, had surgery again!

In my adult years, fitness and health have been really important to me. Before my most recent surgery, I noticed a serious decline in my physical health and found it difficult not to be able to be as active as I would have liked. Since being fixed, I have been on a personal journey of fitness and health and running the London Marathon is one of my goals on that journey! I hope that in my efforts I can raise money for ECHO to give back for the support they have shown me whilst demonstrating to others with potentially life-limiting conditions that it is possible to live a healthy and active lifestyle!

What does Echo do?

ECHO (Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation) is a dedicated charity that provides vital support to children and young people diagnosed with congenital heart conditions, as well as their families. Recognising the emotional, practical, and medical challenges that often accompany such diagnoses, ECHO works tirelessly to ensure that every child and family affected receives the care, guidance, and encouragement they need.

The charity offers a broad range of services, including emotional counselling, peer support groups, and educational workshops to help families navigate life with a heart condition. ECHO also provides resources to promote awareness about congenital heart disease, ensuring that communities and professionals understand the complexities and needs of those affected.

Importantly, the charity bridges the gap between medical care and day-to-day life, helping families connect with others in similar situations and empowering them through shared experiences. ECHO’s work extends to advocacy, campaigning for improvements in cardiac care and raising vital funds to enhance hospital facilities and community programs.

Through its compassionate, community-driven approach, ECHO fosters hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging for families facing the challenges of congenital heart defects, ensuring no one feels alone on their journey.

More information can be found on the ECHO website: https://echo-uk.org/.

Thank You

Any money raised will help ECHO carry out their important work, impacting the lives of thousands of children and their families! Thank you so much for your donation and support!

Mitchell