LIKE most eight-year-olds, Ella McLeod likes nothing more than getting outside and riding her bike or jumping on the trampoline.

However a cloud has hung over her health since she was born with a serious heart defect.

At just eight days old Ella had a complicated, life-saving procedure where she received a donated pulmonary artery valve.

Her health issues have failed to slow Ella down, which she proved in June when she finished a mini-triathlon three months after suffering pneumonia.

"It was a really cold wet day and she was this little purple, shaking thing but she finished it and did really well," Ms Morris said.

The Clifton Beach youngster's efforts in raising $3000 for Heart Kids in the lead-up to the triathlon also earnt her a nomination for a national Brave Kids award by the Take5 magazine.

Mum Catherine Morris said a January appointment with a surgeon in Brisbane would determine when she will have to have the procedure again.

"There's potential for all types of complications with long-term surgery, but we've been blessed so far," she said.

 

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