"It was quite overwhelming that people really jumped on board and understood that we really needed help, and what little Noa was going through.
"We are so lucky because we were in a very tight spot, because you don't plan for these things."
Initially separated from Noa and her mother Danielle Bolt as he had to remain in Masterton for work, the Givealittle money allowed Mr Matthews to take two weeks off work so he could be in Auckland to support Ms Bolt after the operation.
Noa spent three weeks in hospital recovering from the surgery, and having Mr Matthews there for most of that time made all the difference, Ms Bolt said.
"It was amazing, because he had to go back a week earlier and just not having him there was a complete nightmare. I had to stay with Noa 24/7 so I wasn't able to leave the ward."
"The nurses were really good but it was tough without him."
While Noa's operation, which took about four hours, went well, the surgeon discovered another small hole which also had to be patched.
After the operation, Noa, now four months old, started to gain weight and express her personality, Ms Bolt said.
"It's amazing the difference, because she used to sleep all the time but now she's so nosy, she wants to know everything."
"She grown so quickly after the surgery."
Noa's heart is still struggling so she must take medication every eight hours, and she has special boots for her club foot, but being able to finally take her back home to Masterton had been a relief, Ms Bolt said.
"To actually be able to go outside - it's just crazy. And even being able to carry her around the house without all those wires is amazing."
Mr Matthews said the couple have put the remaining Givealittle funds into a savings account which will be used for Noa's education.
In the meantime the family were happy just to be reunited, he said.
"We are sort of taking things as they come and just enjoying having her here and enjoying being together as a family again."
