A KEYNSHAM boy is being honoured as part of a British Heart Foundation campaign fronted by TV presenter Emma Willis.
The charity is unveiling 65 red “living memorial” benches across the UK – one for each year the charity has been established – in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease.
One of the benches will be named after Leo Nicholls, aged eight, of Keynsham, who had open-heart surgery as a newborn baby.
His mum Aimee Nicholls was born with a hole in her heart and underwent a keyhole procedure at the age of four.
The former air hostess was able to live a relatively normal life, but after falling pregnant with Leo, a 20-week scan picked up that Leo would also be born with a hole in his heart.
However, once Leo was born in November 2017, Aimee and husband Alex were told their son had several heart defects and would need open-heart surgery at just a week old.
“When we were told about Leo’s conditions, our world collapsed,” said Aimee, now aged 32.
“We’d gone from being told he had a minor heart defect that wouldn’t require surgery and would rectify itself, to being told that without open-heart surgery he wouldn’t survive. We just broke down and couldn’t process it at all.”
Following successful surgery, Leo was discharged from hospital just two days before Christmas. He had a long road to recovery, and whilst he continues to be monitored by doctors, Leo – a fan of football, rugby and golf – may require further surgery.
At the launch of the British Heart Foundation campaign, Leo and Aimee met TV presenter Emma Willis, who shared her experience of discovering she had a congenital heart condition, following a routine health check in January 2025.
Doctor found she had an enlarged heart and a hole between the upper chambers of her heart (an atrial septal defect), which was closed during a keyhole operation at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
Emma said: “The last thing I expected my cardiologist to say was that it was a congenital heart condition. I was floored as I had gone 48 years oblivious, not knowing anything was wrong.
“It was a bolt out of the blue, and I had a million questions going through my head. The mental shift was the biggest challenge, because when you hear those words, it terrifies you.
“My perspective on life shifted. From diagnosis to surgery was the most present I have been in my life.”
She added: “I’m hoping that sharing my story will help others going through something like this.”
The British Heart Foundation says that her story, alongside Leo’s, highlights the importance of early diagnosis, research, and ongoing support.
It has not yet been decided where Leo’s bench will be placed, although it will be somewhere in the local area.
Aimee said she is thrilled that Leo, who goes to Chandag School, is one of the children being recognised in this way and that it is “an incredibly emotional and meaningful moment for our family.”
She added: “Leo’s surgeon is funded by the British Heart Foundation and his work directly impacts Leo, which is why we’re so heavily involved, and passionate about the campaign.”
When Leo started school at Chandag infants at the age of five, he settled in with help from a book written by his mum.
Aimee wrote Leo’s Heart initially for Leo but thought it would be a great way to help his new classmates understand his circumstances, such as the scar that showed whenever he changed for PE.
The book is available from the Heart Heroes website. To buy a copy, visit https://shopheartheroes.uk/products/leos-heart-book
Pictured, Leo Nicholls with mum Aimee and Emma Willis
Leo takes a seat with TV Emma for heart campaign
