Community
26 March, 2026
Help Hannah support Royal Children's after years of care
Hannah Knights has spent many hours at the Royal Children's Hospital
EVERYONE knows of someone who has needed help from the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
And the more St Arnaud came together to raise funds for the health service through the Good Friday Appeal, the more local families came out saying they had.
For little Henry and Claudia Knights, they’ve seen the inside of those wards multiple times.
In 2022 Henry got RSV at the age of six months and developed acute bronchiolitis and SVT (spontaneous ventricular tachycardia) triggered from fevers then at 12 months old got two virus’s one after the other that his heart got stressed while in SVT that he developed AET(atrial ectopic tachycardia) as his heart got stuck over 180 for a long period of time.formally diagnosed as a chronic arrhythmia rather than just fever-related.
"Since October 2022 just after his first birthday my son Henry has been under the care of The Royal Children’s Hospital after being diagnosed with Atrial Ectopic Tachycardial," mum Hannah said.
Atrial Ectopic Tachycardia is a type of heart rhythm condition where the heart beats abnormally fast because the electrical signals that control the heartbeat are coming from the wrong place in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria).
Instead of following the heart’s normal rhythm, these extra signals cause the heart to race, which can be exhausting for a child and requires careful monitoring and treatment.
"For the first two and a half years after Henry’s diagnosis, we attended appointments every three months, where he was closely monitored by professor Andrew Davis The cardiologist," Mrs Knights said.
"During this time, Henry was taking Atenolol to help manage his heart rhythm.
"At Henry’s regular checkup in December his Holter monitor and ECG results came back, we were told that his AET was still present and needed more intensive treatment.
Professor Davis recommended that Henry be admitted to hospital so his medication could be changed safely under close supervision.
Henry was switched to Sotalol, a medication specially prepared at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
"Since this change, with regular appointments to ensure his heart remains stable and well managed," Mrs Knights said.
"Over the past three years, The Royal Children’s Hospital has supported our family in ways we can never fully put into words.
"The care, expertise, reassurance, and compassion shown to Henry — and to us as parents — has meant everything."
But that wasn't it for the heartache for the Knights'.
"Towards the end of last year, our family faced another frightening experience when our daughter Claudia was airlifted to The Royal Children’s Hospital from Horsham hospital," Mrs Knights said.
"She was scheduled to undergo surgery, but during the procedure, doctors believed she had suffered an anaphylactic reaction and a severe asthma attack under anaesthetic.
"Her lungs began to compress, the medical team placed her into a coma to allow her lungs to relax and recover.
"When she arrived at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Through careful treatment and investigation, the team woke her up. later determined that the episode was most likely caused by a bronchial spasm.
A bronchial spasm occurs when the muscles surrounding the airways in the lungs suddenly tighten. This tightening narrows the airways, restricting airflow and making breathing very difficult.
Bronchial spasms can happen unexpectedly and may be triggered by anaesthesia, asthma, or irritation of the airways.
In severe cases, immediate medical intervention is required to open the airways and ensure enough oxygen reaches the body.
"Once again, The Royal Children’s Hospital was there for our family when we needed them most. Because of their skill, dedication, and compassion, both of our children are here today," Mrs Knights said.
Mrs Knights also spoke highly of Ronald McDonald House, who provided accommodation for the family while Henry and Claudia were in hospital and attending appointments.
"Living three and a half hours from home, having a place to stay so close to the hospital lifted an enormous weight off our shoulders. Over Christmas, we witnessed the incredible love and dedication of the volunteers at Ronald McDonald House," Mrs Knights said.
"The kindness, warmth, and effort they put into supporting families during such a difficult time was truly beautiful and something we will never forget.
"We will always be deeply grateful to The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House for the extraordinary care, support, and kindness they have shown our family during some of the most challenging moments of our lives.
Mrs Knights has been fundraising for the hospital every year since Henry's first trip and has raised thousands for the Good Friday Appeal.
"I will keep fundraising until my kids don't need their services anymore, maybe beyond," she said.
Donate to Hannah's cause here: https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/henryknights/gfa
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