THE family of a Bradford boy who suffers from a rare medical condition is backing a national charity's recruitment drive.

Four-year-old Jaxon Green-Moore has Leopard Syndrome which affects the skin, face, and heart, and leaves him at risk of sudden death.

The condition means his heart walls become stiff and thick and the pulmonary valve, which pumps blood from the heart to the lungs, can narrow.

His mum, Heidi Green, and grandmother, Pat Bingham, 69, have been supporting Heart Research UK by swimming the equivalent of the English Channel to raise awareness of Jaxon’s extremely rare heart condition.

Now they are backing the charity's call for more volunteers, or 'champions'.

Miss Green, 39, of Cropredy Close, Queensbury, said the pair had raised more than £500 and hoped one day there would be a treatment.

"There is no cure at the moment for the condition that Jaxon has, so any help we can give to help him lead a longer, healthier life, is important," she said.

"Volunteers are so important to charities like Heart Research UK as everyone has potentially got a role they can play and give up their time to help out. It means the charity can then concentrate on the research side and helping to find new treatments to help heart patients."

The charity is using this week's National Volunteering week to call for more 'champions' to support its work in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

It pumps more than £1 million a year into heart disease research and spends more than £100,000 on community heart-healthy projects.

In West Yorkshire the charity has spent £2.6m in the last 15 years and more than £400,000 on healthy heart grants in the area.

The current campaign involves the charity's biggest volunteer recruitment drive, with potential roles including helping at street and supermarket collections, looking after collecting cans, helping at events or organising coffee mornings or tea parties.

Heart Research UK’s head of fundraising income Fran Shilton said: "Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience and we can offer you a role that will complement your life, fit in around your usual day and give you a huge sense of fulfilment and experience.

"Because coronary heart disease affects people all over the UK, and is still our single biggest killer, we need people from all corners of the country and in-between to join our team of fantastic volunteers. So whether you only have a couple of hours to spare a week or have more time to offer on a regular basis we’ve got a role at Heart Research UK to suit you," she said

Anyone who wants to be a 'champion' and volunteer for Heart Research UK should speak to the fundraising team on 0113 297 6212 or e-mail community@heartresearch.org.uk.