A BODMIN man who suffered heart failure in April is holding a charity ball for his 21st birthday to raise money for the facility which saved his life.

Alexander 'Alex' Nel and his twin sister, Hannah, have organised a ball on Saturday at Lanreath's Punch Bowl Inn to celebrate their life.

But Alex didn't think he'd be alive to see the day after he suffered heart failure four months ago.

The twins hope to raise £2,000 for Bristol Heart Institute, where Alex was cared for.

He said: "When I was 16 I contracted meningitis and septicaemia leaving me with a serious heart complaint. After having three lots of heart surgery, I found myself back in hospital suffering from heart failure this April. The bottom line is that I owe the Bristol Heart Institute my life.

"The standards of care I and my family received in the BHI, from the cleaners to consultants, were outstanding. I met the most gifted doctors and nurses and I was so relieved to be under their care.

"The five heart operations have cost many thousands of pounds and although a price cannot be placed on human life, I can attempt to give something back in return which is what we are aiming to do."

After recovering from meningitis and septicaemia, Alex suffered an irregular heart beat and was taken to hospital 22 times, 19 by ambulance, over a two-year period.

He had three operations in a five-week period in April this year, when doctors tried to solve the problem. The final operation looks to have been successful and Alex is now living life to the full with his two-year-old son, Dylan.

He said: "The consultant, Dr Glyn Thomas, effectively saved my life – I now live my life to the full. We felt the ball was a perfect chance to celebrate life and us all being here together. We're also using it as a chance to say thank you to everyone – friends, family, colleagues, doctors – who has supported us through the past five years."

The money will go towards the DVD distraction project where patients undergoing cardiology operations awake can watch films. The project has had trials and has proved successful. Hundreds of people are expected to attend the ball, including Alex's consultant, Dr Thomas, nurses and the mayor of Plymouth.

The family has received dozens of donations from local businesses and raffle prizes including tickets for the Eden Project, Newquay Zoo and Bodmin Jail.

Hannah, who works at the Punch Bowl pub and is also a photographer, said: "It's been a hard five years for the family, with Alex's condition and other family problems, and it is now like a light at the end of the tunnel. It's been very trying for the whole family mentally and physically and we just want to turn something negative into some positive."

To donate to the cause e-mail alex.nel@sky.com or hannahnelphotography@hotmail.com