A 21-year-old from Burwell is hosting a charity gala to raise funds to improve cardiac care in Cambridgeshire.

Ellen Maulder has a congenital heart condition meaning she was born without a pulmonary valve and a hole in between the chambers of her heart.

Kind-hearted Ellen now wants to give back to The British Heart Foundation who has supported her throughout her battle.

Proceeds will also be donated to The Somerville Foundation and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) Cardiac Rehab Program.

The glamorous event will be held at The Hilton, Cambridge City Centre on September 8.

Ellen said: “I’m a local girl, born in Burwell and I am hosting this gala as my small way of saying thank you.

“I want to give back to these charities and help them to fund the incredible work they do.

“Throughout my life I’ve had multiple procedures to replace and repair the valve in my heart, the first at just four-days-old and the most recent, last September at the age of 21.

“The three charities I have chosen to support each do amazing work and have all helped me, and thousands of others, in different ways.”

Ellen explained that the evening will include prosecco and canapés, a three course dinner, entertainment and a charity auction.

She continued: “The British Heart Foundation is the UK’s number one heart charity.

“Their goal is to improve the lives of babies born with heart defects, find the genes that cause inherited heart conditions and one day find a cure for heart failure and heart disease.

“The Somerville Foundation provide support for patients born with congenital conditions like mine, helping them to manage their conditions & providing emotional and practical advice.

“Finally, ACT Addenbrooke’s Cardiac Rehab Program is an eight-week rehabilitation service which runs out of Cambridge’s local hospital.

“The program helps people who have been affected by heart surgery to get back on their feet through exercise classes, fitness tests and educational sessions.”

Around 150 attendees from Cambridge and the surrounding villages are currently expecting to attend.

Auction and raffle prize donations are also being sought.

Anyone who is willing to help, or wishes to purchase a ticket, can visit: www.theredsockgala.co.uk