A TEENAGER who underwent three open heart operations in five days is adding his voice to a campaign to save a threatened children’s cardiac unit.

Matthew Cornick, 17, of Chickerell, has been treated as a heart patient at Southampton General Hospital since he was diagnosed with aortic stenosis as an 18 month old.

Budmouth College student Matthew had surgery at the hospital at the age of five to replace his blocked aortic valve with a plastic valve.

Ten years later as a 15-year-old, he underwent surgery to have his aortic valve replaced.

As a result of complications with the surgery, he stayed at the hospital for a month.

Despite missing a term at school in his GCSE year, Matthew went on to ace his exams and is now looking at university options while studying for his AS levels.

He said: “I have made a good recovery and am now back playing golf and enjoying planning what university to go to.

“I am so grateful to everyone that has been involved in my care at Southampton heart unit.”

Accordion player Matthew will talk to his year group in assembly about the heart unit’s plight, which has been ranked in the country’s top two.

Health chiefs are looking to save costs and reduce the UK’s 11 specialist children’s cardiac centres to six or seven.

If the Southampton unit is closed, local families would be forced to seek lifesaving treatment in either London or Bristol.

Matthew, along with his mum Karen, 49, and his dad Ian, 51, were part of an army of mums, dads and youngsters who gathered at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton to show their support for the unit.

The Southampton unit remains under threat while fundraising has been carried out for a young adult’s ward which would cater for Matthew, who will eventually need more surgery.

Devoted Matthew has already raised £165 for Wessex Heart Beat towards the young adult’s unit.

His dad Ian said: “Years ago people were not surviving these kinds of conditions.

“Things have progressed so far and children are coming through to adulthood and not having anything in common with older people with heart conditions in the adult heart ward.”

Matthew has been collecting signatures from his classmates for a petition to help save the heart unit.

He said: “Whilst I was in hospital I realised and found it hard to believe there are so many children with different heart conditions.

“My family and I made many friends with patients, from newborn babies to teenagers like myself.

“Each one has a very special story and we are all honoured to have received such professional and quality care.

“The level of care I received was only exceeded by their dedication and we are forever grateful.”