The grandmother of a Keighley boy who received open heart surgery is supporting the charity which helped her family while he was treated.

Sinade Galindo is organising a night of entertainment in aid of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, at the Leeds General Infirmary.

The fund helped with accommodation costs for her and her daughter, Cree, while Cree’s young son Ellis was being treated in the LGI’s Children’s Cardiac Unit, in April.

Ellis, who is now 15 months old, was born with heart disease and was becoming increasingly ill.

His grandmother, who lives in Guard House, said: “His heart was failing and he was starting to pass out. He needed this op as soon as possible.

“There were many complications and he was in intensive care for ten days when he was only supposed to have been there for two. He had a very bad chest infection and a lot of scar tissue.

“The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund supported me and Cree with accommodation costs for two weeks so we could be with Ellis 24/7.

“It would have been extremely difficult without them. Bed and breakfasts in Leeds city centre aren’t cheap.”

She added that if a national review of congenital cardiac surgery services decided to close the LGI children’s heart unit, then local people would end up having to travel as far as Newcastle.

She said this would make the financial assistance offered by the heart surgery fund even more vital.

To help the fund, Mrs Galindo is arranging a charity night at the New Variety Club, in Russell Street, at 7.30pm on August 11.

It will include live music, a DJ, buffet meal and donated raffle prizes. Admission will be £5. People can contact 07906 505417 to book in advance, or pay on the door.

Mrs Galindo said Ellis, who also lives in Guard House, is due for another medical check-up but seems to be recovering.

“He’s been standing up and walking around the furniture,” she said. “He looks healthy compared to how he was before and he’s got a lovely complexion.”