Hallglen family pay tribute to 'happy and feisty' Wren Harkins, 4, who died days after Christmas

Little Wren Harkins defied doctors who said she had only weeks to live two years ago, but sadly, the youngster died suddenly on December 29.

Born with congenital heart disease, the youngster had numerous operations and long stays in hospitals, but Wren always battled back to return home to be with her parents and big brother, six-year-old Quinn.

Mum Allanah Jones said: “I still can’t believe that she’s gone. Despite her going through so much, she always had a smile on her face that could light up a room. But her wee broken heart just couldn't fight any longer and she is now at peace and pain free.

"So many have followed along on her journey – from our darkest days to her biggest achievements – and supported us along the way. I am forever grateful."

Wren’s arrival was a surprise to Allanah, 33, and partner, Chris Harkins, 35. “I was 34 weeks when I discovered that I was pregnant so didn’t get the normal scans early on. I don’t know if they would have shown anything up before she was born,” explained the mum.

Wren was born in Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert on March 25, 2018, weighing 7lbs 4.5oz. However, after staff carried out the hearing test given to all newborns, they came to her parents and said they thought that they heard a heart murmur with more investigation needed.

"I was really ill after her birth and spent three weeks in hospital,” said Allanah, “and Wren was six weeks when we went for more tests. This included an echo cardiogram and we were told it showed something and we needed to be referred to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Glasgow.”

Sadly, further tests revealed Wren had pulmonary atresia – where the valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs doesn't form – and ventricular septal defect. They also found she had the rare condition major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs).

The Hallglen family found themselves caught up in a round of medical appointments and hospitals stays.

Allanah said: “She had four open heart surgeries and the last one saw her in theatre for 26 hours. We thought that we wouldn’t get her back but she pulled through. We were also warned that bleeds on her brain could leave her in a vegetative state but Wren’s recovery just went from strength to strength.

"It seemed that every odd they gave her she defied it. After her last operation she was in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks but she was determined to walk again and she did.”

But Wren’s parents were stunned in January 2021 when doctors told them that there was nothing more they could do to repair their daughter’s heart and she was being placed on end of life care.

Allanah added: “It came as a massive shock. Wren seemed to be getting stronger after her previous operation and when doctors told us the results of her latest scan we couldn't quite believe it. They said she would probably only live for around six weeks but she survived for two years. Wren was a little fighter and so determined.

"Obviously we're so grateful and happy that we got that extra two years with her, but it wasn't long enough. No time would have ever been enough. "

Her parents were determined that their daughter, who they described as “a happy and feisty wee thing” should live as normal a life as possible.

Her mum said: “She never wanted help with anything and I made a conscious decision not to wrap her in cotton wool. If she wanted to splash in puddles then she did. If she wanted to go on a bouncy castle at a birthday party she did. I just always followed her lead. However, she did know her own limitations.

"She was great on Christmas Day and had an absolute ball. To look at her you would never have known she was on end of life care which is why it was such a shock days later when she was gone. Our lives have been completely shattered.”

Describing her “pink princess”, Allanah said: “She loved to dress up in pretty dresses, but she also liked to lie about in her pyjamas and get her nails painted. It was her way or no way. Her favourite food was sausages and she loved a curry from the Chinese takeaway.

"When we were out people would always stop and speak to her. If we were out for something to eat, usually older women would come across and say how well behaved and mannered our children were which was lovely.”

The family had been due to spend some time in Rachel House in Kinross, the facility run by CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland), having previously had day visits. But they decided to still go and Alannah said it had provided them with a “safe haven” in the days since Wren’s death.

“It’s the only thing keeping me going,” she added. “You always think babies will be born healthy but being in hospital with Wren and spending time at Rachel House makes you realise that certainly isn’t the case.

"We now want something positive to come from her memory by raising awareness of her condition so it can help other families.

"As we’ve not been home, it all seems so unreal. Quinn is very young to fully understand what has happened but we’ve told him that the angels came for Wren and she’s at peace.”

The family had previously been involved in fundraising last year to provide the nursery Wren attended, Glenburn ELC, with a defibrillator.

Now a fundraising page has been set up to help the family with funeral costs and any money left over will got towards a memorial in the youngster’s honour.

Organised by family friend Taylor Heron, it has already raised over £5000.

Taylor said: “It’s heartbreaking. I am raising funds for the strongest family I know. I had the absolute pleasure of knowing the most incredible little girl Wren. She put up the most amazing fight, she had more surgeries in her wee life that most couldn’t even comprehend but she still fought through.

"Wren has lived in the same little town her whole life and we have all been part of her journey. As a community we would like to raise some funds to help the family and to remember the strongest little girl who ever walked through it.”

Thanking everyone who donated, Allanah said: “People have been absolutely fantastic. It’s just after Christmas and things are so tough but people have been so kind.

"It shows how many lives one little person touched as it’s not just close family and friends who are donating. We are so grateful.”

You can donate here

A service of celebration for the life of Wren will take place at Falkirk Crematorium this Saturday, January 14 at 10.30am.