WHEN Sam Edwards was just three-months-old he underwent major surgery at Southampton General Hospital to repair multiple holes in his heart.

But now, 18 years on, Sam can lead a full and active life just like any other teenager - as he proved when he completed a sponsored 360-mile walk.

Sam and his schoolfriend James Braund, 17, raised £3,264 for Wessex Heartbeat on the walk from Land's End in Cornwall to Bournemouth Pier.

The pair visited the Wessex Cardiac Unit at Southampton - which Heartbeat supports - to hand over the money and see the work the charity has done.

Last year the ward was officially reopened thanks to a £1.1m investment by Wessex Heartbeat.

Sam said: "It's fantastic. It's so much better than when I was in there because my parents didn't have a room on the ward. My dad had to sleep in the car."

Sam and James, who go to Bournemouth Grammar School, wanted to do a charity walk and Heartbeat was the natural choice to benefit.

Sam, who lives in Bournemouth, said: "It took us three-and-a-half weeks along the coastal path, stopping in campsites and youth hostels. It was very tough but it was great just to see all the scenery and knowing it was for a good cause."