A SIX-year-old with a heart condition inspired her friends to hold a fundraising skipathon.

Emily Brown, who attends the 1st Winterbourne Rainbows, was born with a heart block.

The condition caused her to have a low heart rate – where the normal rate is 90 to 110 beats per minute, Emily's was beating at 50 to 60.

Then as she got older her rate fell lower still, down to 35 to 50, and she was fitted with a pacemaker last November at Southampton General Hospital.

The other Rainbows were so impressed by her bravery they organised a Jump for Heart event, raising money to help the British Heart Foundation’s work.

The group of 19 Rainbows, aged five to seven, hopped, skipped and jumped after practising every day for two weeks at home or in the school playground to complete the challenge at the village’s Glebe Hall.

For many it was the first time they had tried skipping.

Chloe Job, six, said: “I've seen lots of people skipping and wanted to try it myself.

“I kept falling over in practice and this was the first time I've skipped. It felt good.”

The group has so far raised £142, with more coming in.

Leader Jane Lackey said: “They've really taken the lead, giving it all they've got to learn a new skill.

“The less able have been working together and can now use longer ropes to jump through.”