Leeds United invited a special guest to the Swansea City fixture at Elland Road on Wednesday night - in the form of 16-year-old heart patient  Danny Hirst.

Danny has been supported by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, the club’s official charity for the 2018/19 season, for most of his life having been diagnosed with a hole in his heart right after he was born. He has had to have two open heart surgery funds to fix the hole and he now lives with a mechanical heart valve.

The youngster was joined by his mum, dad and older brother for an exclusive matchday experience along with staff from the local charity to meet the first-team players and enjoy the Sky Bet Championship match in the family stand.

Thanks to the relationship between the club and the heart charity these once-in-a-lifetime experiences are being made possible for children and their families that have been through a tougher time than most.

Danny’s mum, Gillian Hirst, spoke to LUTV about her youngest son and the support of the charity: “Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have been really important to us as a family and they’ve supported us throughout a lot of Danny’s journey. He was diagnosed with a hole in his heart when he was born so we’ve been at the hospital for over 15 years.

“We just don’t know what we’d have done without the equipment they’ve provided, not only in the hospital but at home as well, it’s just been a lifesaver, literally. They’re an amazing charity who supports so many people.”

Ellie Brown is the Fundraising Manager for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and works closely with Leeds United and she spoke about the special activity carried out at the Swansea City game on behalf of the charity: “Tonight, because it is so close to Valentine’s Day, Leeds United have made a real effort to celebrate Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and everything we’re about.

“Not only have they given Danny and his family this amazing experience but they have balloon modellers making Katie Bear balloons, Katie Bear is our mascot, and facepainters doing our logo on children’s faces – it all means so much to us.”

Please help us raise much-needed funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund so we can help to purchase life-saving equipment to help more babies and youngsters like Danny. Click here to visit the JustGiving page.