A Kingston woman who had emergency open-heart surgery has organised a musical performance to raise awareness of a charity supporting young people going through similar ordeals. 

Julie Mills, 28, works at Kingston Hospital, volunteers for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and is a member of Kingston Vale Operatic and Dramatic Society. 

She suggested funds from its performance of Return to the Forbidden Planet should go to the charity. 

Ms Mills said: “Seven years ago I contracted viral myocarditis, which attacked my heart and major organs.  I ended up in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with 20 minutes to live, where I had emergency open-heart surgery. 

“An artificial heart pumped the blood round my body for six days, during three of which I had no pulse.  After this it was removed as my own heart was doing all the work.  I am now fit and healthy, working full time, doing voluntary work, as well as amateur dramatics. 

“So bearing all of this in mind I put CRY forward as the one we would support.” 

CRY was founded in 1995 to provide support and information on cardiac risk in young people and to families who have suffered a loss. 

In 2002 it launched a Surgery Supporters Club for young people who have had or are having potentially life-saving surgery. 

It also raises money to donated cardiac machinery to doctors’ surgeries and hospitals and operate cardiac screening programmes. 

The performance is on Thursday, May 12, at 8pm at Kingston Vale Village Hall, Kingston Vale.