Valentine's Day was an appropriate day for the Heart Kids Support Group, when a team led by HMAS Stirling's CPO Gary Blissendon conducted a gold coin voluntary donation for the group at the entrance to the causeway at Garden Island WA.

The self-funded Heart Kids Support Group was established to provide support to those families who find themselves in the position of having a child with heart problems.

For many families this group is the only support they can rely on at a time of great stress for them.

Gary and his wife Belinda experienced this support first hand when their son Tyler was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring an immediate operation.

The Heart Kids Support Group also provided the Blissendon's with much needed information on their son's condition.

Tyler is now a healthy normal four-year-old, who according to dad, gets into mischief and trouble at times.

Tyler's healthy condition now allows mum Belinda to serve on the committee and provide support to families who find themselves in the same position the Blissendon's did.

The generosity of personnel at Fleet Base West saw more than $1,000 raised.

By Gary Booth