BARNOLDSWICK teenager Josh Licastri dropped in to Skipton's British Heart Foundation shop with his family to show support for its latest campaign.

Throughout September, the charity's Bag it, Beat it campaign is urging people to donate unwanted items to fund lifesaving heart research.

And for Josh, who was born with a congenital heart defect, and his family, it is a campaign well worth supporting.

Josh's mother, Clare, was just 23 weeks pregnant when a routine scan failed to find a heartbeat.

She was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where a further scan showed that the baby's heartbeat was very slow.

"After he was born, they put him onto monitors to see if they could work out what was wrong with his heart," said dad, Paul Licastri.

"Clare didn't get to see him for seven hours; she said she felt empty, because all she had was a photo of him.

"We saw a specialist who explained that Josh had congenital heart block, explaining that the chambers of his heart were not beating in sync."

Josh's heart rate was between 60 to 70bpm and it was explained that he would eventually need a pacemaker fitted.

It was also discovered that his heart block was triggered by Clare having the autoimmune condition, lupus, which meant her being sent for tests.

"We had prepared for the worst, but he was coping fine on his own," said Paul. "He had a 24 hour ECG and was allowed home when he was a few days old."

Since then, Josh has had 24-hour ECG traces done twice a year and his heart rate was gradually slowing until last year. He then developed dizzy spells and, at night, his heart rate could get as low as 20bpm.

Last October, when he was 12, he was fitted with a pacemaker. He was out of hospital the same day, and is now at high school where although he avoids some sports, he is a keen footballer.

And despite having to have his pacemaker battery changed every five or six years, he should lead a completely normal life

Julie Clegg, BHF area manager, said they enjoyed welcoming Josh and his family to the Skipton High Street shop.

"We'd like everyone in Skipton to have a clear out this September and to donate bags of unwanted items. Unwanted items will raise vital life-saving funds, helping little heroes like Josh continue to fight congenital heart disease."

The BHF currently funds more than £14 million into congenital heart disease research, but hopes to raise more this year with help from supporters of the Skipton shop.