A THORNBURY heart patient paid a visit to the town's British Heart Foundation (BHF) shop along with his family to show their support for the charity’s new campaign.

Nine-year-old Luke Ball, from Thornbury, met with volunteers at the store to support the Bag it. Beat it. campaign.

Luke was born with transposition of the great arteries, and his family spent time meeting the volunteers and finding out about their work and sharing their experiences.

Luke was diagnosed with the condition as a baby, and had open heart surgery at three months old, after spending his first Christmas in hospital with his mum, Liz.

As he grows, he has to have annual check-ups to make sure he doesn’t outgrow the surgery and needs to be careful about the types of sport he plays.

Throughout September, BHF shops are urging Thornbury locals to donate bags full of unwanted items to their local BHF shop to Bag it. Beat it. to help fund life-saving heart research.

Tim Reeves, BHF area manager, said: “Everyone at the Thornbury BHF shop loved meeting Luke and his family and hearing their story.

“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. so we can help local people like Luke.

“Your unwanted items will raise vital life-saving funds, helping little heroes like Luke 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, with support from the Thornbury community.

Anyone can donate by filling a bag with good quality clothes, shoes, books, handbags, DVDs, CDs, bric-a-brac and children’s toys and taking it into the BHF shop in St Mary’s Street.

For more information call the shop on 01454 417177 or visit: bagit.bhf.org.uk.