A CARING York pensioner was so deeply touched by the Evening Press Jamie's Have a Heart Appeal that she decided to donate her £200 winter heating allowance to the fund.

Tang Hall resident Winnie Starkey lost her mother and four of her brothers to heart problems, and said she "wanted to help a very important local cause."

The appeal, to raise £7,500 to buy 12 special heart monitors, is in memory of Jamie Bucknell, of Strensall, the 14-year-old boy who died last month due to a heart defect, during a lesson at Huntington School, York.

Winnie, who is 75, was herself taken into hospital with chest pains in the mid-1990s, and was issued with one of the portable heart monitors the appeal aims to buy.

Winnie, of Tang Hall Lane, said reading about Jamie's death made her remember her own experiences.

She told the Evening Press: "It all came back when I read about Jamie.

"I thought that perhaps that lad's life could have been saved for a few hundred pounds, so this appeal is a chance for everyone in York to try to help save others."

Asked whether she would be warm enough without the government payment, Winnie replied: "I always give the winter payment to charity. I'll be warm enough this year. Don't you worry about me."

Jamie's mum, Debbie, said: "For Winnie to do that is so lovely, a fantastic gesture. We are really grateful that she is supporting the appeal."

The monitors that the Jamie's Have A Heart Appeal is aiming to buy can be taken home by people with heart problems.

They help the sufferers check their conditions regularly, and the data helps doctors decide on treatment.

They cost £650 each and the appeal aims to buy 12.

If you would like to give to the appeal, or if you are organising a fundraising event, phone Richard Edwards or Emma Harrison on 01904 653051 or email richard.edwards@ycp.co.uk or emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 12:27 Thursday, December 06, 2001