AN appeal for birthday cards to help a poorly Chester boy mark his first birthday has been a huge success.

Young Dexter Blake, who has a heart condition requiring regular hospital treatment with oxygen, was faced having to spend his first birthday in Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Mum Danielle Blake and dad Robert Blake issued an appeal to the local community to send Dexter birthday cards, as Danielle explained Dexter loves cards.

And the response to the family's appeal has been overwhelming, with Dexter receiving 300 birthday cards in time for his birthday.

The response also went global, with cards coming in from places including Dubai and even New Zealand.

Dexter still requires ongoing treatment as whenever he gets a virus, it affects him much more than other children and requires hospital treatment.

Since being born last year on January 29, Dexter had had to return to hospital six times, and in the latest round of treatment he was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital but then transferred to Arrowe Park in Liverpool due to Covid-enforced staff redeployment at the Countess, then a further transfer to Alder Hey.

Danielle said: "We're hoping to be home but with oxygen this coming week, whilst we wait to hear from Great Ormond Street Hospital, where they have been sent his scans/results as they are the specialists in the surgery he needs, so we now may end up having to go down there."

Danielle added the family had been "overwhelmed" with the response to the birthday card appeal.