STOVER School was left in a cloud of powder paint as students took on a colour run, all to raise money for a memorial Torbay Hospital to those who have donated their organs.

The event, which raised over £5,000, was organised by Lottie Bryon-Edmond. 

Now aged 11, Lottie was the UK’s youngest transplant survivor, after receiving a liver transplant at just five weeks old. 

Lottie said: ‘I’m doing this to say thank you to all organ donors and to raise money for the memorial. When I was little I had a transplant and I wanted to do something to say thank you for that.’

The colour run saw the students of Stover run a course winding around the school playing field, all while being pelted with powder paint by their teachers and peers. 

Among the large crowd of onlookers was the Mayor of Kingsteignton Ron Peart and Sir Richard Ibbotson, the Chair of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust. Catering was provided, free of charge, by the Old Rydon Inn, while music and entertainment were provided by Torbay Hospital Radio. 

Local artist and family friend of Lottie, Nick Tilley, performed ‘Lottie’s Song: The Gift of Life’, a touching piece reflecting on Lottie’s astonishing life.

Born seven weeks premature and weighing just 4.1Ibs, Lottie was diagnosed with neonatal hemochromatosis – a rare liver condition causing an excess of iron in the body. With the odds stacked against her, Lottie underwent lifesaving surgery, only enabled by the actions of an organ donor she will never meet. 

‘The surgeon’s hands were bigger than Lottie was when she had the operation,’ said Chris Bryon-Edmond, Lottie’s father, ‘They’d have turned the machines off in any other hospital, but Professor Kelly, she’s our superhero. She decided to push the boundaries and give the transplant a go. That surgeon did a miracle that night.’

On the day of her operation in August 2012, Lottie’s brother Daniel was inspired to sign up for the donor register. Tragically, Daniel passed away in a car accident soon after, but his decision to become a donor saved six lives.

Chris added: ‘He was an amazing son, and he adored his sister to bits.’

Now in year six, Lottie is looking to give back to those who saved her life, by raising money for the construction of a memorial for organ donors. 

Her ambitious plans brought her into contact with Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chair of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust.  

Inspired by her ideas and a rousing speech to the board of directors, Sir Richard made Lottie an honorary director of the trust earlier this year. 

Sir Richard said: ‘Lottie joined us at a trust board meeting, to give her story as a patient and emphasise the importance of organ donation to us. It was a stunning presentation, I only had one option, to make her an honorary director of the Trust. 

‘This fundraising afternoon has been great fun. I expect the washing machines will be taking a hit this evening, but it’s been a great afternoon.’

‘Lottie has a personal mission to ensure that there is a memorial on the hospital site. We’re keen that it should happen and indeed the plan is to have it somewhere at the main entrance. She’s now gathering the money to make that happen, which is absolutely incredible. 

Richard Notman, Stover’s headteacher, said: ‘Lottie’s just done an amazing job to set this up. She’s the driver here, we’re just had the site, but she’s made it all happen.’

Chris Bryon-Edmond added: ‘It went fantastically on a lot of different levels. First of all, £5000 is an amazing result, but hearing some of the kids talk about it, they’ve got this whole awareness of organ donation now. To be able to tap into children of that age and make them realise the importance of this is our big thing, it’s not just about the money, it’s also about awareness.

‘On top of all of that, it was fun! Those kids will never forget that day. At that age, you get those intermittent memories of childhood, but that one, without question, will be there forever.

‘A big thank you to Miss Gunner, Miss Fallshaw, Miss Mammatt and Jackie, as well as the Old Rydon Inn and, of course, everyone who donated.

‘We live our lives day to day, and never forget what’s happened, but the memories that happened yesterday and the way that Lottie has grown from those early years has been truly remarkable.’

To donate to Lottie's fundraiser, click here.