Parents of the Year: Danika Martin and Christian Hainsworth

FIRST-TIME parents who did not have the easiest of starts have been nominated for this year’s DWA-sponsored Parents of the Year award.

When Danika Martin and Christian Hainsworth’s daughter, Cleo, was born on 14 December, doctors found a problem with her heart at two days old and the new family was rushed over to Southampton.

On 2 January, baby Cleo had to have open heart surgery.

Nominator Julie Ozanne said Cleo is a little fighter and recovered amazingly well, meaning the family could come back home to Guernsey.

‘Christian had to go back to work as a contract aircraft engineer, which meant he was doing one week on and one week off in Jersey,’ she said.

‘Danika coped so well on her own with Cleo.’

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Guernsey, Christian had to come back home before lockdown but because there was no work, the couple had to find jobs including cleaning and delivery services to get some income.

Julie added: ‘They have both coped so well and I am so proud of them.

‘They are a beautiful little family.’