A CIRENCESTER teenager has organised a charity gig to raise money for the hospital ward that helped him overcome a potentially lethal heart condition.

James MacKellar-Still, 16, and friend Chloe Griffiths, from Stroud, have booked out the Subscription Rooms in Stroud on Saturday, January 12 in aid of Bristol Children's Hospital Heart Ward.

Bands from all around the country have been invited to play, including The Eyes of a Traitor, For their Sins, Arc Angel and James's own band Salakin.

James's mother Gill, who works at Cirencester Junior School, told the Standard her son unknowingly grew up with a potentially fatal heart problem called Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome.

"It sends your heart in to an electrical storm where the heart can beat up to 300 times a minute," she explained. "It is often the cause of sudden death in teenagers, as they are unaware they have the condition."

Fortunately James was diagnosed in time and put on medication until he was able to have surgery.

Gill said: "He had to take life carefully and was unable to do many things he loved, especially theme park rides, as it could trigger an attack. Simply bending down fast could be fatal.

"It was a constant worry and it was a tremendous relief that his operation three years ago was a success."

Music is James's life, whether it is at studying Music Technology at Gloucestershire College, teaching guitar, or playing with his two bands.

"It only seems fit I should give something back to the people who helped to improve my quality of life," he told the Standard.

Tickets are priced £4/£5 and available by calling the Subscription Rooms on 01453 760900 or by clicking on the link below. Doors open 6pm.