A Bradford mother is embarking on a fundraising drive for a children’s heart charity after being inspired by the care given to her own son.

Harrison Dunne was just four months old when he suffered his first fit, going grey and floppy.

His mum, Jan Dunne, rushed him to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was diagnosed with a hole in his heart, a heart murmur and a rare heart condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

He was transferred to the Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary and, now eight years old, he has been under their care ever since.

As he has grown, the heart murmur has gone and the hole in his heart has closed up, but his most dangerous condition, SVT, remains.

Mrs Dunne, 46, said: “His heart pounds, he gets pains in his chest, his blood pressure goes up and his temperature goes down and he is really sick.”

As a young child, Harrison suffered fits a couple of times a year, but as he grew they became more frequent, until despite his young age, doctors in Leeds decided to attempt surgery in September last year.

“They took him down to theatre and I thought he would be sorted out. I thought he wouldn’t need medication and would lead a normal life,” said Mrs Dunne.

“But they discovered they couldn’t do it because of where the problem was in his heart. He could have died, so they did not want to take the risk. Now he is on stronger medication for the rest of his life.”

Mrs Dunne, who lives in Low Moor with Harrison and his sister, 12-year-old Shannon, put her disappointment aside to focus on raising money for The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, a registered charity based at the Yorkshire Heart Centre in Leeds.

The CHSF funds valuable equipment, resources and research for the treatment of children with heart defects and provides a happy and relaxed atmosphere within the hospital for both the children and their families.

Every year, 10,000 children pass through the paediatric heart unit at the LGI, and approximately 330 of these undergo open-heart surgery. Over 40 per cent will need long-term care.

“If I raise a couple of thousand pounds, I know that I will have done my bit,” said Mrs Dunne.

Farnham Primary School in Stratford Road, where she works as a teaching assistant, has raised money through a non-uniform day, and Harrison’s school, Low Moor Primary School, is holding a non-uniform day on February 12.

The big event though is a charity night on Friday, February 19, from 7pm, at Low Moor Working Men’s Club in Huddersfield Road, Low Moor.

The night will feature a DJ and singer, a buffet and a raffle, with great prizes donated from businesses such as Hollywood Bowl, Harry Ramsden’s, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Bradford snooker player Joe Johnson, Knowsley Safari Park and the IMAX.

Tickets are £8 for adults, free for children, and are available from Paul Mitchell at the club on (01274) 676310.

“I have 200 tickets to sell to make it all worthwhile, so please help me to help children with heart defects to have a better life,” added Mrs Dunne.