A GRATEFUL parent has said a "huge thank you" to an Upton mechanic who donated money to the hospital ward that saved her two-year-old son's life.

Melanie Knutsen's son Jack was just three weeks old when doctors diagnosed a heart condition that would give him three hours to live.

But after a seven-hour operation at Wessex Cardiac Unit he pulled through and is now leading what Mrs Knutsen describes as "a very active, normal life".

Mrs Knutsen's father took part in a sponsored 62-mile bike ride from London to Brighton to raise money for the unit and Mel Hill, of Upton Motor Services on the A38, sponsored him to the tune of £100.

"Without the kindness and generosity of people like Mr Hill, charities like this would not be able to do such a fantastic job," said the 29-year-old nursery teacher, from Southampton.