A father who nearly died from a serious heart condition when he was just two years old threw a party to remember and raised money for children who need life-saving surgery.
At the age of two, Tony Beckett, now 34, of Falisbury Road, Harrow, was diagnosed with a heart problem, but underwent an emergency operation which saved his life.
On Friday he organised a charity night called '4 Da Heart' at The Star pub in Northolt Road, South Harrow to raise money for Royal Brompton Heart Hospital. He chose the specialist institute, which is in central London, because his friend's son had just had treatment there.
He also wanted to raise money to say 'thank you' for the help and support a family received when he was ill.
He said: "I had to have an operation when I was two because I had too many heart valves and I could have died. It was really touch and go but luckily I made it through the other side.
"When I found out my friend Alan, who is also from Harrow, had a son who also underwent treatment it all came to me just how lucky I am. His son is fine now, but I thought: why not try and raise as much money as I can and donate it to the hospital that has been treating him."
Music including soul, hip hop, house and drum and bass was played throughout the night, which more than 300 attended. Harrow singer Ann Marie Lataille performed, along with a group of break dancers from the borough.
Prizes raffled off included a luxury spa treatment and games consoles. T-shirts supporting the night were also sold, along with graffiti canvases made by local artists.
Mr Beckett, who has an eightyear-old daughter called Rianna, said: "We want to raise as much money as possible. We have had loads of support from people and friends. Every little bit of money raised will go towards research or fund operations to be carried out. It is a great cause and I hope as many people as possible get on board."
