"HE showed us how to live" — The legacy of a brave toddler who died of a rare genetic condition will provide life-saving surgery for other children.

Tristan Campbell was born with heterotaxy syndrome, a condition which meant his internal organs were abnormally arranged inside his chest and abdomen.

Parents Kate and Dave, from Radcliffe, were told their son had a 50-50 chance of surviving to the age of five.

They were left devastated on January 30 last year when their "happy, chatty boy" died following complications during his third open heart surgery. He was aged just two years and nine months.

"Tristan was given a fighting chance at life thanks to the incredible team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital", Mrs Campbell said.

"He showed us his parents, how to do life. He loved every second of it. He was a happy, chatty boy who was full of excitement. There was no stopping him from having fun. He truly was the best ever.

"Unfortunately the struggle was too much. He only made it half way, but he did it in style and has left every life he touched blessed with his joy."

Now Tristan's family are keeping his memory alive through a fundraising challenge that has already raised £3,350 to provide heart surgery for children with coronary heart disease in countries where these operations are not readily available.

While Tristan was receiving treatment on the intensive care unit at Alder Hey, his parents learned that his surgeon volunteered his free time to provide heart surgery through the charity Healing Little Hearts.

To further the charity's work, his dad and uncle, Andy Belton, are gearing up to cycle the 516-mile NC500 route along Scotland's northern coast.

They will set off from Inverness on Sunday, May 26, with the aim to raise £6,000 — enough to fund a camp which will provide life-saving surgery for at least eight children.

"We are affectionately calling the fundraiser the #besteverride in Tristan’s memory", Mrs Campbell said.

"You wouldn't know from looking at Tristan, but his heart was back to front, on the wrong side of his body. It had multiple complex defects which effectively meant that he only had half a heart.

"And to add to his health complications, many of his other organs were either misplaced or missing. He was a real Picasso of creation."

She added: "We are fortunate in our country that we have the NHS. Not all families receive the same chance as we did to build memories. We want to do what we can to change that."

The ride is being corporately sponsored by noiseboys.co.uk, Wardell Armstrong LLP, and Kids Planet Day Nurseries, where Tristan attended.

To donate, visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/thebestever.