One family of Active Nation supporters knows only too well how important the British Heart Foundation’s work is. Sue and Gavin found out even before their son was born that he had problems with his tiny heart and would need surgery. Thanks to all the charity’s vital research Devon is now a happy and lively 6-year-old boy and one of the children spearheading the Wear it. Beat it. campaign along with his big brother.

The family’s incredible story is told by Devon’s 15-year-old brother Morgan as the two play and have fun together like any siblings in the charity’s video.

Morgan said: “Mum and dad knew even before my little brother Devon was born that he would need heart surgery. They could see from the scan that there were lots of problems with his heart.

“They sat us down and told us. We were all really upset but mum and dad were positive about Devon’s future and so we were too.”

In fact Devon was born with a number of conditions including Crisscross heart, dextrocardia, pulmonary stenosis and two large holes in his heart.

Devon had his first operation when he was just 4 months old and another one when he was three.

Apart from Morgan and Devon, Sue Caines and husband Gavin have 5 other children. Ayaisha, 24, Conor, 20, Morgan’s twin Tia, Summer, 8, and Eden, 2.

The family are all regulars at Active Nation’s Yarborough Leisure Centre and have been using the venue for many years. Many of the children have been to swimming lessons and have happy memories of holding their birthday parties at the Riseholme Road centre. Gavin and other family members have also used the gym and Devon is looking forward to starting swimming lessons soon.

The family run the Navigation Support and Care Services for people living with disabilities and often bring clients to the venue for swimming and other activities. On Friday, Navigation and other businesses at the Lincoln Carlton Centre will be busy raising money for Wear it. Beat it.

Before the BHF, treatments for children born with heart problems were limited and Morgan knows it’s only thanks to the charity he is able to be a big brother to Devon.

Morgan added: “The new operations they’ve helped develop are one of the reasons Devon is alive and our family are together. That’s why, on Friday I’ll be getting my school mates to wear red to school for Wear it. Beat it. to help fund more life-saving research.”

It’s because of the charity’s lifesaving research that so many children like Devon are still alive today and thriving. Stories like the Caines’ are inspirational and are just one of the many reasons why Active Nation venues around the country will be taking part and fundraising on Friday. Come down to your nearest venue and see how you can get involved and help this brilliant charity to continue saving so many lives.

• Posted on: Wednesday, February 4th, 2015 by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk