The uncle of heart transplant girl Sally Slater is rallying round to boost a charity which helped save her life by taking part in a top motorsport event.

Chris Slater, 31, of Skipton, will be navigating a car, driven by family friend Graham Hargrave, in the prestigious Seat Jim Clark Memorial Rally at the end of June.

The car, a MkII Ford Escort, powered by a two-litre 16-valve Vauxhall Astra engine and built at Mr Hargrave's garage near Skipton, and its support vehicles, will be emblazoned with the name and logo of the Children's Heart Unit Fund charity.

They hope the advertising will boost donations to the charity, based at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital where Mr Slater's six-year-old niece was given a new heart after contracting a mystery virus which attacked her heart.

The money will enable the charity to fund things such as the £40,000 artificial hearts which kept Sally, who is now back at home recovering from her operation, alive while she was waiting for a donor organ.

Meanwhile the pair will be distributing donor cards to spectators and fellow competitors during the rally in the Scottish Borders.