Schoolboy Luke Wheeler-Waddison is going to amazing lengths to thank staff at the specialist hospital who saved his life when he was a baby.

The nine-year-old had to undergo vital heart surgery at the Evelina children’s centre when he was just five days old.

And to express their gratitude, Luke and his family, from Rainham, have dedicated the last year to raising money to fund research at the London hospital.

For his latest challenge, the schoolboy has enlisted the help of his mates to form the Fabulous 15 to swim a whopping 150 lengths each.

They will be taking the plunge on Saturday, March 2 at a swimming pool in Rochester while those who can’t swim will be walking the equivalent distance.

Before even taking to the water he's managed to raise £6,000 for the world-famous hospital which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Alarms rang when mum Joanne Wheeler had a scan at 24 weeks into her pregnancy which showed a serious heart defect.

Luke was born at St Thomas Hospital in London and was rushed into intensive care for an emergency operation transferring to the neighbouring Evelina.

He said: “I was sedated, had splints on my arms and legs, was x-rayed, scanned and had tubes coming out of my sides.

“I have heard many stories about how great my care was and about the male nurse who ran around my cot constantly monitoring my every breath, which was such a relief to my parents.”

Joanne said: "It was horrendous and was touch and go.

"I was unwell having had a caesarian and there I was at 11 at night signing a consent form saying that Luke might not pull through.”

It’s an ordeal that neither Joanne or partner Anthony Waddison, a business manager, who live at Oastview, will never forget.

She said: “How can you ever stop supporting a hospital that saves lives, including my son's? I am so very proud of what Luke is doing.”

Luke, who still has to have regular checks and may have to have another operation when he is older, is able to lead as normal a life as possible.

"Last year, while on my annual visit to Evelina, I saw children who were really unwell and it made me think about giving something back" - Luke Wheeler-Waddison

He is keen on sport but he is unable to play rugby or lift weights for fear of strain on his heart.

He said: “Last year, while on my annual visit to Evelina, I saw children who were really unwell and it made me think about giving something back.

“I decided to do a raffle and an auction to help buy some more equipment.

“My mum sent me to every shop in our High Street to ask for raffle prize donations. I managed to collect more than 22 prizes.”

While Luke’s stay in Evelina will always be on their minds, the family have a daily reminder of those early years.

The couple’s three-year-old daughter, and Luke’s sister, is called Savannah - after the name of the ward where Luke recovered after coming out of intensive care.