A YOUNG girl is raising money for charity after her dad underwent life-saving surgery.

Megan Rowe, 11, and with her friend Jack Leverett, 12, will pedal five miles along Canvey sea wall to raise money for the Marfan Association.

Megan's dad Dave, 42, has Marfan Syndrome and had an operation in April at Basildon Hospital's specialist cardiothoracic centre.

Doctors discovered his aorta, the largest artery in the body, was so stretched they couldn't believe he was still alive.

Mr Rowe, of Newlands Road, Canvey, said: "It's a genetic condition which affects the connective tissue.

"I had open-heart surgery and, although it was touch and go at one stage, I was one of the lucky ones who pulled through."

Megan, and her brother Sam, 16, are being tested to see if they also have the condition and the family is raising money for the Marfan Association.

Mr Rowe is organising a charity night at the Tandoori Parlour in Thundersley on Thursday, July 3.

He said: "Megan and Jack are doing a sponsored bike ride. They came up with the idea by themselves.

"They've been going around their friends at school and their teachers and the neighbours and I think they're up to about £400."

Tickets for the tandoori night are £12 for adults and £6 for children and a few are still available. Call 0800 6950631 for tickets or to sponsor Megan and Jack.