11 year old Harrison Stedman from Smallfield made a huge impression on MPs, Peers and assorted guests last week (14th May) when he made his "maiden" speech at the House of Commons.

Harrison, who has lived with Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome (a heart condition) since infancy, was speaking at a reception held to support Children's Heart Week. He invited his MP Peter Ainsworth to attend after a chance meeting at last year's BBC Proms.

The Children's Heart Federation is campaigning for the full inclusion of heart children in sports and exercise at a level that is right for them. The charity has established that too many children with heart problems are just excluded from taking part in any sport, when many are keen to, and capable of competing with each other.

Harrison spoke about his health issues, his love of sport, and of his frustration at not being able to take part because there are so few opportunities to do so.

Peter Ainsworth comments:

"I was delighted when Harrison and his parents followed up our chance encounter at the Proms with an invitation to hear him make a speech in the House of Commons. It was a very assured and confident performance and he is a natural public speaker who knows how to keep an audience engaged. He left nobody in any doubt of his own hopes and frustrations, and the message really got home. Quite brilliant. Maybe he should apply to be Speaker!"

Notes:

Further information on the British Heart Federation’s work can be found here: http://www.childrens-heart-fed.org.uk/