A SHOPKEEPER whose daughter has a heart condition will take part in a charity run to raise money for a Leeds-based hospital unit.

David Mortimer, who owns Bracken Bank Stores, in Opal Street, Keighley, is taking part in the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run tomorrow.

Also running with him will be his partner, Rachel Whitehead, who also works at the shop, and their daughter, Lily, who is six.

The family lives in Harden and Lily is a pupil at Harden Primary School.

Lily has a condition called mitral valve prolapse, but this does not hamper her day-to-day life.

“Although it doesn’t affect her now, it might later in life so we make sure we do lots of exercise with her to keep her in the best possible health,” Mr Mortimer said.

“When Lily was little she had to go to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) every six months to make sure everything was okay., but now she only needs to be monitored once every 12 months. With a condition like this you should approach life normally, and the more active you are the less likely it is that it will be a problem."

The money the family raises will go the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund to support the work of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at LGI.

Mr Mortimer said: “We are helping the amazing team that support us. This is Lily’s first big charity event and she’s in training to run the course."

He encouraged other people to help a good cause by taking part in the run through Skipton.

“It’s more of a fun event than a physical challenge,” he said.

People can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/DAVID-MORTIMER8# to sponsor the trio’s run.

The Great Skipton Santa Fun run starts and finishes at Aireville Park, in Gargrave Road.

Assembly is from 10am with the run beginning at 11am. It will follow a five-kilometre circular route around the canal and streets of Skipton.

The cost of entry, which includes a free Santa suit, is £12 for adults and £8 for children aged six to 15.

Visit skiptonsantafunrun.com/event-details/ for more information.