A volunteer who underwent lifesaving heart surgery as a child returned to the Bristol Hospital which treated him to surprise young patients.
Luke Ravenhill, 26, from Fishponds, dressed up as his favourite superhero Spiderman for the visit to the wards of Bristol Children’s Hospital.
While on the ward Luke chatted with young patients, having pictures taken with them.
Luke, who works as a volunteer at the SS Great Britain and We the Curious, was born with three holes in the heart.
At the age of two he underwent surgery at the hospital to repair the holes and to insert a new heart valve.
He was the only child at the time to survive an operation of this kind.
At the age of 18, Luke had to return to hospital to have the valve replaced as it was leaking.
After his operation as a child, Luke went on to make a full recovery.
“I had to be careful initially, as I couldn’t always run around and keep up with my friends as I would get breathless.”
Luke, who has Aspergers, organised to visit the hospital as his way of giving something back for the care and support he received.
He visited the Level 5 Activity Centre and the heart ward.
“When I was in hospital there were always plenty of smiles,” he said.
“I wanted the youngsters to feel the same way I did and to cheer them up and I thought dressing as a superhero was something the youngsters could relate to.
“Spiderman is also my favourite superhero.
“The whole visit was really good and there were a lot of high fives.”
Luke also works for the organisation From the Inside Out which teaches and supports people working with those suffering with Aspergers and Autism to better understand the conditions.
