A 25-YEAR-OLD who has been fundraising since she was a child and experienced a potentially fatal condition, is now applying her expertise to a local charity.

Alexandra Weighell has joined Herriot Hospice Homecare as an area fundraiser after having begun fundraising for charity 11 years ago, when a charity supported her and her family.

At the age of 12 it was discovered she had been born with a congenital heart condition, arterial septal defect. The condition was only diagnosed after she complained of breathlessness whilst swimming.

She underwent an immediate heart operation with a surgeon who informed her that if they had left it just a month or two later, her arteries to her lungs would have collapsed, causing possible death.

It was during this period that Alexandra and her family were referred to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Alexandra was so impressed with the support she and her family received, she began to fundraise for the charity when she was 14.

In 2007, the BHF used Alexandra as a case study for their heart campaign and she appeared on television, radio and in newspapers. The campaign raised £1.5 million for the charity.

Alexandra continued to fundraise and support the BHF and other charities, despite having to undergo two further operations on her heart at the age of 13 and 19, finishing her GCSEs and going on to university. She is currently also chair of the Darlington branch of the BHF.

She joined Herriot Hospice Homecare in August, with responsibility for fundraising in the north of Hambleton and Richmondshire. The charity provides hospice care for people in their own homes.

“I think because of what happened to me, and seeing how charities can help, fundraising has just been the logical career step for me and I am delighted to have joined Herriot Hospice Homecare,” she said.

Alexandra left university with a degree in law, along with a daughter Lily Rose who was born in her final year of study, but says she always intended to go into fundraising.

It’s been a busy time for her because she also got married to her husband Mathew in August and along with Lily Rose, now 4, the couple also have another daughter, Eva, aged two.

She said: “It is still early days, but I am enjoying my job and am busy planning events for the rest of 2016 but in particular looking at what we can in 2017, which will be Herriot’s 25th anniversary year.”