A FLAGSTONE family's heartbreak at the loss of their son is being turned into a force for good this week.
The Beadel family has partnered with Flagstone Goodstart Early Learning to raise funds for HeartKids in celebration of the charity's Sweetheart Day this Saturday, Valentine's Day.
Zach Beadel died from congenital heart failure in November 2010 at six months of age.
The little boy was the first child of Flagstone's Kim and Stuart Beadel, for whom he was a "miracle".
"We always wanted to start a family," Ms Beadel said.
"We found out at my 20 week scan that Zach had a heart condition.
"Initially doctors thought he wouldn't survive the pregnancy, but by 34 weeks things had changed."
Ms Beadel was flown to Melbourne for Zach's birth, where specialists were able to give him the care he needed.
"He had his first operation three days after he was born, but we knew his life would be hard," she said.
"Doctors said if he survived he would be up for constant operations and a heart transplant."
The young family spent eight weeks away in Melbourne after Zach's birth, before being flown back to Brisbane.
"It was really tough, we didn't cope well," she said.
"But Zach was always such a happy little boy, I would just think 'how are you smiling child', even after a needle he'd be smiling.
"In the end we did get him home for about eight days, we are thankful for the time we had."
Kim and Stuart's second son Mason was born in October 2012.
Ms Beadel said Mason knew all about his older brother and was excited to be helping HeartKids.
"HeartKids put on morning teas and made sure you had a hot meal at the end of the day and they were always there to talk about what was going on," Kim said.
Goodstart centre director Joanne Burns said the centre was more than happy to help fund raise when Kim asked.
"We've been talking to the children about it and having a special activity every day, today was icing biscuits," she said.
"Our parents are donating here and there and on Friday we will present the money to Kim for HeartKids.
"We are excited to help."
Donations are being collected at the centre, at 86-88 Coachwood Drive, Jimboomba.
For more information on HeartKids visit www.heartkids.org.au
