A HEART monitor could help save young Charlie Jones' life.

But the plucky Newport schoolgirl who has survived major heart surgery was told she could wait nine months for one.

So her mother Dorothy decided to try to raise £1,500 and buy one for the hospital where Charlie, 12, is being treated. And that would mean that other youngsters who need vital cardiac monitoring will also benefit from the family's efforts.

Charlie, who lives with her mum and dad Malcolm in Birch Grove, Underwood, was born with congenital heart disease.

"She has two abnormal valves," said mum Mrs Jones.

"One is just about working and the other one is an abnormal shape and leaking. "In her last operation they tried to repair it but five months down the line it is leaking again."

Charlie is now waiting for an operation to replace the valve with a plastic one. "She gets very tired," said Mrs Jones. "Sometimes she can't do anything, she is so tired - she is even too tired to sleep."

She has also started suffering from seizures which can last up to four hours. A heart monitor could alert medical staff to any changes in her condition.

Mrs Jones hopes to raise at least £1,500 for a Heart-Tel monitor for the children's cardiac unit at the Bristol hospital where Charlie is a patient.

"When she was there last time and needed one they said they would have to put her on a nine-month waiting list," said Mrs Jones.

She said the new monitor could then be used by Charlie and other young patients. It was this revelation that spurred her into action and she has organised a sale, including nearly new, craft and cake stalls, at Langstone Village Hall on the afternoon of April 20. Mrs Jones has been deeply touched by the kindness of others such as one of the adult dancers at the school Charlie attends whose soldier son's battalion in Germany is holding a sponsored marathon.

Other offers of help have come from the entertainments manager at Caerleon College and a Newport line-dancing group.

Popular Charlie is a pupil at Lliswerry High School.

She said: "I like music and I like singing, mainly pop music. My favourite groups are S Club 7 and Blue."

"Everybody loves her," said Mrs Jones. "She's got an aura about her." l If you would like to help raise cash for the monitor, please contact the Argus newsdesk on 01633 777226 and we'll put you in touch with Mrs Jones.

PICTURE: Charlie Jones, who needs a heart monitor, cuddles her mum Dorothy who is raising funds to buy one for the children's cardiac unit at Bristol where Charlie is a patient