A nursery nurse is helping to raise money for life-saving cardiac equipment after her younger brother was diagnosed with a heart condition.

The British Heart Foundation, supported by the Medway Messenger, has launched the Medway Echo Appeal to raise funds for an echo machine which can detect heart problems at the touch of a button.

The machine works like an ultrasound and can make the difference between life and death by detecting heart problems early.

Echoes are particularly good for diagnosing diseases of the heart valve and heart muscle as well as looking for congenital defects such as a hole in the heart.

Without this machinery, defects could only have been found during a surgical procedure or may have gone undetected and untreated for years.

Oliver Gapper , 16, from Hoo, underwent a heart scan and doctors discovered he had aortic root dilation, a condition which often goes undiagnosed and can be fatal.

Oliver, who is waiting for an operation, is hoping to organise a non-uniform day at his school, Hundred of Hoo, later this year.

His sister Hannah Gapper, who works at Hundred of Hoo nursery school, has organised some fund-raising of her own.

On Friday, February 13 all the children, aged three months to four years will be going red for the day. Parents will be paying £1 for their child to wear red, with all the cash going to the Medway Echo Appeal.

The children will also be doing red-themed arts and crafts and making cakes. The cakes will be sold to parents at the end of the day to make extra cash.

Hannah, 24, from High Halstow, said: “Aortic root dilation is a silent killer that often goes undiagnosed.

“It was because my brother was given a echo scan that his heart condition was discovered so he is fully supporting the campaign.”

To donate towards the appeal or for advice on how to organise your own event, call Joanne Howe on 01474 537997 or email howej@bhf.org.uk You can also donate online at www.bhf.org.uk/medway Don’t keep it to yourself