When an East Malling mum held her baby son in her arms for the first time, it was only for a few precious minutes.

Teddy-James Arnold, while perfect as any newborn, was born with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a serious heart defect that left him unable to survive outside of intensive care and in need of immediate surgery.

Having given birth at in Evelina London Children’s Hospital in London last May, 29-year-old Samantha Arnold said an anxious goodbye to her child just moments after seeing his face for the first time.

“I held him for just five minutes and then they took him,” Mrs Arnold said. “It was horrible. I had him in my arms, but it was like he was not there.”

The baby had keyhole surgery at just four hours old and less than a fortnight later, surgeons performed open heart surgery to correct the flaw in his heart.

Now, six months later, Teddy is a happy, healthy baby, and proud Ruskin Close residents Samantha and Bill have decided to give something back to the hospital that saved their son’s life.

The couple, who have six other children, have launched a ustGiving page to collect at least £2,500 for the hospital.

Mr Arnold, 27, along with a close friend Michael Campbell are set to undertake a 12,000ft skydive on the anniversary of Teddy’s operation in May.

Mrs Arnold said: “They saved our Teddy’s life. If it wasn’t for them he wouldn’t be there.

“We wanted to say thanks to the hospital for everything they have done.

“The doctors and nurses supported us through it all.

“We took him home for the first time in June, it was so strange to finally have him home but a huge relief also.”

Teddy’s condition was diagnosed 12 weeks into the pregnancy.

TGA is when the arteries out of the heart are switched reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. There are approximately 20 to 30 cases per 100,000 live births in the UK.

If you would like to support the Arnolds, you can make a donation through their JustGiving page.