A glitzy ball has raised more than £25,000, bringing the total boost to a charity close to the founder's heart to more than £150,000 over the years.
Mark Ind first launched the annual event back in 2003 to help cardiac charity Heartbeat after his son Alex was diagnosed with a heart condition as a baby.
Now the CEO of Heartbeat, Mark was joined by now healthy 25-year-old Alex and the rest of his family for the ball, which attracted 270 guests at the Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.
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Charity patron and ex-Saints striker James Beattie was also in attendance at the event, hosted by comedian and entertainer Aaron James.
It featured a three-course meal, live music, and an auction boasting items including a round of golf with James Beattie, and tickets for an exclusive dinner cooked by TV chef James Tanner at the renowned Violin Factory in London, which has been featured on Grand Designs.
The funds raised from the autumn ball will directly contribute to the charity's pioneering research and projects including funding two pilot NHS roles; a palliative care nurse and a cardiac psychological youth worker.
Mark Ind told the Daily Echo: "My son Alex, at just a few days old became blue and breathless and was rushed back into Winchester Hospital, where he was born. It was thought at that point that he had a very serious heart condition."
On subsequent admission to the University Hospital Southampton, Alex was diagnosed with a blocked pulmonary valve, two holes in his heart, and a faulty ventricle as well as having all his organs the wrong way round.
Major open-heart surgery followed when Alex was just 14 months, eight years old, 17 years old and again in 2019 when Alex contracted an infection which led to sepsis, infecting his heart chamber.
Mark added: "I'm always quite overwhelmed and grateful for people's desire to come along and be involved, and I’m blown away by people’s generosity."
The funds raised also help Heartbeat House, a facility run by the charity, providing free accommodation to families of patients undergoing heart surgery or interventions at the Wessex Cardiac Unit.
The event was sponsored by Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDW) Southampton division.
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