A YOUNG athletics champion from Thornbury has met one of his heroes, Roger Black, to discuss their shared history of defying heart disease to succeed.

Castle School student Luke Ball, 13, who trains with Yate and District Athletic Club, met the Olympian and former World Champion runner at Guildford Athletics Track last month to discuss their shared love of sport and how they defied the odds to pursue their dreams as part of the British Heart Foundation’s Face a Fear campaign.

The campaign encourages people to be fearless and conquer their biggest fear by the end of July to raise money for the charity’s life-saving research.

BHF ambassador Roger, 52, and Luke were both born with congenital heart disease, where a heart condition or a defect develops in the womb. Every day, 12 babies are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and it can be potentially life-threatening.

Luke was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries, where the arteries are plumbed the wrong way round and was operated on at just 12-weeks-old while Roger was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition when he was 11 after it caused one of his heart valves to leak, and couldn’t take part in competitive sport until he was 13.

Roger’s condition was closely monitored and he only ever missed one of his annual hospital appointments to go to the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, where he went on to win a silver medal.

Roger said: “It was fantastic to meet a fearless young athlete like Luke.

“I’ve never let my heart condition hold me back and it’s great to see that he isn’t either.

“I’m proud to be a British Heart Foundation Ambassador and their research helps people like Luke and myself lead a fit and healthy life, ultimately enabling us to pursue our dreams to become athletes.

“That’s why I’m supporting the BHF’s latest fundraising campaign ‘Face a Fear’ to encourage others to face up to what they’re scared of and raise money for the charity’s lifesaving research."

Luke said: “Even though I have a heart condition I don’t see myself as any different to any of my athletic competitors and I’m just as determined to be successful.

“I take advice from my doctors at my annual heart check-ups and, although I may have to have further surgery in the future, I don’t let this hold me back. It was awesome to meet a track legend like Roger and to see his Olympic medal. I hope one day I will have one myself!”

Both Roger and Luke were told at one point that they may not be able to do strenuous physical activity, but have been fearless in proving people wrong.

This July, the BHF is challenging everyone to be fearless by taking part in Face a Fear and conquering a phobia by the end of the month.