AN APPEAL inspired by a Linthwaite baby with a deadly heart condition has raised £4,000 for babies with the same illness.

More than 120 friends and family of little Joel Bearder dug deep into their pockets at an event to boost the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at Leeds General Infirmary, where the four-month-old has undergone life-saving treatment.

Tiny Joel, of Banks Road, was born with serious heart problems in July. His condition was so life-threatening that parents Gaynor and Antony were warned their son was unlikely to survive. But the little fighter refused to give up, despite undergoing surgery, battling an infection and enduring nine doses of specialist drugs a day for the last three months.

Now latest scans show Joel’s heart is growing stronger every week. And if his progress continues, could be well enough to receive open heart surgery to repair the faulty valve in his heart.

Mum Gaynor, 33, said: “Six to eight weeks ago, he was in such a poor state, the doctors didn’t think he would bounce back. They thought he would die in a week or so.

“But his level of progress has been amazing and even the doctors are baffled by what has happened.

“Everyone is stunned and we couldn’t be happier. It feels like winning the lottery!”

A fundraising evening was held at the Monsoon Indian restaurant in Slaithwaite to raise money for the Leeds unit where he is being treated.

The children’s heart centre treats 10,000 poorly babies like Joel a year, with 350 undergoing major surgery.

An Indian meal, raffle and auction raised £4,000 for the fund that helps run the hospital unit.

Gaynor added: “We are delighted, we never expected to raise that much.

“It was just so heart-warming that so many people turned up and were so generous.

“We have also been overwhelmed by the generosity of companies like Perry’s and Titanic Spa and all the local businesses in Slaithwaite who contributed to the raffle prizes and auction.

“Thank you all so much. It feels great to be able to give something back.”