A HAMPSHIRE man living with a rare heart condition is hosting a festive fundraiser to give back to the charity that has supported him.

Nick White, 26, from Romsey, is organising a Christmas themed raffle to help raise vital funds for Wessex Heartbeat – and has now sent a plea to local organisations for prize donations.

After living with an unknown heart complication since the age of 12, Nick was officially diagnosed aged just 19 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition that affects 1 in 250 people in the UK and is the leading cause of heart transplantation.

DCM prevents the heart from pumping blood around the body efficiently, leaving Nick feeling tired, fatigued and on life-saving medication to help reduce the stress on the heart.

Under the care of Southampton General Hospital and the region’s leading cardiac charity Wessex Heartbeat, Nick was able to complete his studies at Bournemouth University, and went on to work a variety of roles, including work as a football coach, recruiter and as manager of his family’s accident repair business.

Although Nick’s condition has had its complications, years of testing and medication changes has meant that he is now only just 3 per cent away from having a ‘normal’ heart function – and has now been encouraged to return to more rigorous exercise.

Nick said: “The support me and my family have received from Wessex Heartbeat has been so important, so we want to make sure this can continue for other patients and their families.

“We are now putting out a plea for local businesses to donate prizes for the raffle to help support this incredible cause, so we can ensure that their important work can help more families like my own.”

If you’re a local company or individual and wish to donate a prize for the raffle, please email nick@abbeysprays.co.uk.

To make a cash donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Nicholas-White14.

The prize draw will be announced on December 21 via Facebook live.