Teen fundraises for more 3D model hearts like hers

A teenager who underwent cardiac surgery has raised money for a charity which creates 3D replica hearts for the NHS.

Jasmine, 14, from Southampton was prenatally diagnosed with a condition that meant her lower heart was reversed.

The charity Heartbeat partially funds the rubber model hearts for Southampton Children's Hospital, so that surgeons can practice on them ahead of operations.

One year on from her successful surgery, Jasmine walked a mile a day for 26 days, representing the number of days she spent in hospital raising more than £6,000 in the process.

Looking back on the time before her operation she said it was "hard to grasp" that she needed it, as she felt so well.

Her mother Rebecca Bannister said the family were prepared that Jasmine would some day need an operation but described the time of the surgery as "horrendous" adding that "it was an incredibly long few days".

After the procedure Jasmine inquired about buying the replica of her heart that had been created for doctors.

She found out that each one is owned by the hospital, costs £600 to create and is only made possible thanks to donations from the Heartbeat charity.

"When I received treatment for my condition I wanted to say thank you to Heartbeat for all they have done to support me," Jasmine said.

Exactly one year to the day of the operation, on the 13 December 2025, she embarked on her walking challenge, raising £6,203 for the charity.

She said: "I hope, pay for more 3D hearts, so that more people can receive treatment and feel better sooner."

Tanya Harder, fundraising and marketing manager at Heartbeat said: "Thanks to such a generous donation from Jasmine, Heartbeat will be able to continue to fund projects like the 3D heart initiative, as well as provide support and care for patients being treated for heart conditions, and their families."

The teen was allowed to borrow her own heart for a week before she had to return to it the hospital in Southampton, which has created more than 100 exact replicas from medical scans since 2019.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, while holding her own rubbery plastic model, she said it was "quite weird" and looked bigger than she had expected.

After her surgery Jasmine has pursued her love for dance, winning her first competition, and several other trophies.

She said: "I've learnt quite a lot about myself and how I deal with problems, I definitely have to talk about my problems, and I've learnt that I've got lots of lovely people around me that can help me and that it always gets better."

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