A MOTHER is throwing a charity ball to mark the tenth birthday of her son who died aged just eight months from a rare heart condition.

Laurance Johnson died in 2003 from acute Myocarditis and now his mum Joanne will host the ball to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The Micklefield mum said the feedback to the event had been "phenomenal" and she was looking forward to celebrating her son's life.

She said also wants to show other parents who have lost a child that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms Johnson said: "Laurance would have been ten this year and it seemed the right time to do it.

"We can't bring him back but if we can turn a negative into a positive in some way we will and raising money for a worthy cause is definitely something special.

"I now have four-year-old son called Riley but there's a big gap between him and my elder son who is 13 as it took me a long time to feel happy about having another child."

The ball is being held on September 29 at Magnolia Park in Hughenden Valley. A marquee will be erected in the park with various forms of entertainment including comedians, DJs and live music.

Ms Johnson hopes to raise at least £1,500 from tickets and raffle prizes.

Acute Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle and can often be undiagnosed due to lack of symptoms.

Ms Johnson said: "I took Laurance to Wycombe Hospital on the Friday with breathing problems but they dismissed it as a cold and sent him home then he died on the Saturday.

"It wasn't anything he was born with and the doctors likened it to being hit by a bus. I can't deny it's been hard, you try your best but I don't think you ever get over it."

Tickets cost £10 from 07872 392960.