The people of Derry and the North West have been asked to support the family of a ‘gorgeous’ Derry baby girl who is to soon undergo major surgery in London.

Seven-months-old Peggy Sweeney, who was born at 31 weeks gestation, has a rare diagnosis of Cloacal Malformation and Stage 5 kidney failure on both kidneys.

Peggy’s mammy, Orlaith, outlined how the little girl was ‘born with no front or back passages of her body’ and the lifelong condition means she will need ‘multiple surgeries’ in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

The first major surgery is due to take place in January. However, Peggy, who is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, is experiencing multiple infections, which are ‘damaging her body more’. It is, therefore, hoped the surgery will be brought forward.

"The teams are trying to get this done in the next few weeks because Peggy is in extreme pain and even heavy meditation is not helping. We don't see our family on a day-to-day basis because we're far enough away from home, so it's extremely difficult – especially for my other two children.”

Peggy has been a patient in the Belfast hospital for the last seven weeks, but hasn’t been home ‘for a full week’ since she was born. Orlaith is currently with her full-time as Peggy’s daddy, Andrew, cares for her two siblings at home in Derry.

It is hoped the surgeries in London will be successful, but Orlaith said they ‘won’t know until they try with her’.

Orlaith and Andrew are both hoping to be with Peggy in London and the length of the stay is currently unknown.

The costs of accommodation, food and more will be ‘financially draining’ on the family and a Go Fund Me has been set up to help with this.

Orlaith said: “The reason for needing to do this fundraising is the cost alone of going back and forth to different hospitals and also hotel stays are financially draining. So, I've set up a Go Fund Me page for anyone who can help in anyway to allow us as a family to be there for Peggy as and when needed.”

Orlaith said they are taking each day with Peggy ‘as a blessing with her and soaking up the cuddles she’s able to have at the minute with us.’

She praised the teams in Altnagelvin Hospital, The Royal Victoria Hospital and Great Ormond Street, who have been ‘absolutely amazing with Peggy and us as a family, since Peggy has been born and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

She also thanked everyone who has called or texted and added how they are ‘extremely grateful’.

“Please keep her in your thoughts and if anyone is in Saoirse or Andrew’s company please make them smile.”

Peggy’s smiles, said Orlaith, are what keeps them moving forward every day.

"This surgery that Peggy is going for will either go one way or the other, which is not what any parent wants to hear about their baby - trying to hold a brave face everyday because I have that brave face smiling back at me when she's not in pain.”