HIS grandson was saved by surgery after being born with a serious heart defect.

Now the managing director of York-based Shepherd Homes, Steve Murray, has said thank you by handing over £15,000 to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund at Leeds General Infirmary.

The money was raised by staff at the home-building company, who organised a charity dinner, a sponsored walk and bike ride, cake baking and a charity raffle, along with a donation from Shepherd Group, Shepherd Homes' parent company.

Mr Murray said his family would be "eternally grateful" to the hospital's staff for saving his grandson Joseph's life.

"They thoroughly deserve every penny," he said.

"When Joseph was born, he was diagnosed with transposed arteries within 24 hours, and immediately rushed into surgery to rectify the problem, where the skill of the nurses and surgeons was superb.

"As you can see, he is now a healthy two-year-old."

Steve was joined by Joseph and his wife Vilma to present the money to Sharon Cheng and Mark Whittaker, charity director and trustee respectively for The Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

"Everyone at Shepherd Homes played a part in raising the money over the last year, with activities ranging from sponsored walks to cake baking," said Steve.

"We hope that other babies can now benefit from the new equipment earmarked for the department in the same way Joseph did."

Sharon said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Shepherd Homes for its extremely kind donation, which is important, because it helps the hospital move forward and give our children a better standard of care and greater chance of survival.

"Each year, more than 1,200 children pass through our paediatric unit.

"The money raised has enabled us to purchase a revolutionary anaesthesia patient monitor and five new height-adjustable cots, which will further enhance the entire unit."

A fund spokesman said it was based at the Yorkshire Heart Centre within Leeds General Infirmary, which aimed to create a centre of excellence for children born with heart problems.

"Due to new technology and facilities, more children now survive heart surgery," he said. "However, many of our children need long-term care, and often return for further surgery.

"The Children's Heart Surgery Fund is dedicated to raising money for vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease, so that children can enjoy fuller and healthier lives."