A YOUNG heart patient from Thornbury will be visiting the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Shop with his family to support their new campaign.

Luke Ball, aged nine, was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries as a baby and had open heart surgery at three months old.

The shop is urging Thornbury locals to donate bags full of unwanted items to them as part of their Bag it. Beat it campaign.

Each bag that is donated will support the charities work in helping more than 3,400 young people in the South West with congenital heart disease.

An estimated 350 children with congenital heart defects will start school in the South West this year but around 31 of their potential classmates will have lost their life before reaching school age.

Tim Reeves, BHF area manager, says: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Luke Ball and his family to the Thornbury BHF shop on Thursday 18th September. We’d like everyone in Thornbury to have a clear out this September and to donate bags of unwanted items to their local BHF shop to Bag it. Beat it. Your unwanted items will raise vital life-saving funds, helping little heroes like Luke Ball continue to fight congenital heart disease.”

The BHF currently funds over £14 million into congenital heart disease research, but hopes to raise more this year. To get involved simply fill a bag with good quality clothes, shoes, books, handbags, DVDs, CDs, bric-a-brac and children’s toys and take it to the BHF shop.

To drop off donations visit the Thornbury shop in St Mary’s Street or call: 01454 417177. To find out more about Bag It. Beat It., visit: bagit.bhf.org.uk