JAMIE Bucknell's grandparents have donated enough money to buy outright one heart monitor for the appeal in memory of their "wonderful" grandson.

Anne and Terry Bucknell, of Huntington, have donated £650 - the total cost of one of the vital monitors to Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal, taking the total raised so far to just short of £5,000.

The money would have been spent on next year's ground fees for their caravan in Beverley a place where they have spent many happy times with Jamie.

But Anne said: "We can't go back there now - not without Jamie.

"He was such a wonderful boy. If you did not meet him you missed out.

"He would come with us to the caravan and sit and chat to the older folks in the club house - he got on with everybody and every age. He was a joy to have around and he will be missed by a lot of people."

Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal, which was set-up by the Evening Press last week, has prompted a huge response from readers in just eight days of fundraising.

The appeal is seeking to raise £7,500 to buy 12 portable heart monitors for York District Hospital.

It was launched in memory of Jamie, aged 14 from Strensall, who collapsed and died during a lesson at Huntington School on November 12.

The monitors can be taken home by a patient suffering with a heart irregularity and can be used to record vital information.

If you are organising any fundraising activities contact Emma Harrison, health reporter, or Richard Edwards in the Evening Press newsroom on 01904 653051. Or use the e-mail above.

Donations should be sent to either reporter and it will be paid into a special bank account set up for the appeal. Cheques should be made out to "Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal".

Updated: 08:37 Monday, December 10, 2001