A teenager from the Whitland area is marking a decade since her last heart surgery by holding a community event to raise vital funds for British Heart Foundation Cymru.

Seventeen-year-old Lily Young was diagnosed at just five weeks old with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot.

People born with Tetralogy of Fallot have four specific structural abnormalities in the heart, which mean they often have to undergo multiple heart surgeries.

Lily has had three heart surgeries in all but is now a thriving 17 year old who hopes to become a play therapist.

To celebrate ten years since her last surgery Lily is holding an event on Saturday, September 9 at Hywel Dda Coffee Shop, St Mary’s St, Whitland, from 11 am to 3 pm.

The event will include a range of stalls, including jewellery, face painting, Bric-a-brac, cake Stall and a raffle to name just a few.

There will also be Cream Teas and a Barbeque available.

Lily said: “I am celebrating my 10th year since my last heart surgery, and I decided to hold this event to raise vital funds for BHF.

“I would like to say thank you to the BHF and decided to organise this event. Everyone is welcome and we would love the children to come dressed in their favourite Superhero costume as well.”

Jayne Lewis BHF Fundraising Manager commented: “We are so grateful to Lily for supporting the BHF’s research by organising this wonderful fundraising event.

“Her story is truly inspiring and it is amazing that this fantastic young woman now wants to help others by raising funds for BHF research.

“For more than 60 years the public’s generosity has funded BHF research into treatments and cures that save lives every day.

“It is only with donations from the public that the BHF can keep its lifesaving research going, helping us turn science fiction into reality.”

Lily has set up a Gofundme page: https://gofund.me/1bb37c73

To find out more about BHF research, please visit: https://www.bhf.org.uk/this-is-science

If you would like any information on fundraising for the BHF, please contact Jayne Lewis at: [email protected]