WHEN medics discovered a 17mm hole in 10-year-old Charlie Chappell’s heart, his parents’ minds went into overdrive.

Would he live? How would it affect his life? Would his twin sister have the same genetic disorder?

Those were the questions racing around Terry and Debbie Chappell’s heads as the news was broken.

In the months leading up to the diagnosis, the lively Headcorn Primary School pupil went from being full of life to constantly exhausted.

His complexion went pale and often after school he would take himself to bed rather than race around.

When doctors eventually discovered what was wrong, Mr and Mrs Chappell, of Ulcombe Road, Headcorn, were given the devastating news that their beloved son might need open heart surgery.

Mrs Chappell said: “It was awful. We were so worried about what was going to happen.”

Eventually, the doctors opted to place a cardiac catheter, like a tiny umbrella, in Charlie’s heart to try to close the hole.

But, when Charlie came out of theatre the Chappell’s were told the hole had only partially closed and open heart surgery might still be needed.

Despite living with the fear, while staying with her son in the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, Mrs Chappell still had thoughts for the other patients.

As her son recovered from his operation, Mrs Chappell noticed a list on the play room door noting all the items that had been stolen from the children’s ward.

Play Stations, DVDs, TV, toys and other entertainment for sick kids had been taken.

She said: “I was so shocked. I couldn’t believe that someone would take things from a hospital ward.”

A follow-up appointment for Charlie revealed the hole had begun to close naturally, leaving just a 4mm gap which it is hoped will eventually disappear without further surgery.

However, the family still has the worry that Charlie’s twin Chelsie could have the same genetic disorder. The family were due to discover yesterday (Thursday).

Despite the uncertainty, Mrs Chappell, who works as a hairdresser, decided she wanted to do something as a thank-you to the hospital that had treated her child.

With the help of friend Fiona Curl, landlady of the King’s Arms pub in Headcorn, Mrs Chappell decided to raise money to buy replacement toys for the children’s ward.

The two put their heads together and came up with a number of charity events to help raise funds, including a karaoke evening in the village pub where drinkers paid to get the bad singers off the stage.

Little Charlie and Chelsie also took part in a 13.5-mile bike ride to do their bit for the fund.

On Thursday, when Mrs Chappell and her husband Terry took Chelsie to the hospital to have her heart tested, the couple also dropped off a £1013.46 cheque.

Mrs Chappell said: “I just wanted to do something to say thank you.”