But just 12 months ago the Melrose Primary schooler was more likely to fall asleep in class, his face drained blue as his heart struggled to pump blood and oxygen to the rest of his body.

A congenital heart condition affecting his aortic valve had been complicated by a foreign growth.

Open heart surgery was the only option.

Debbie Lovett says it was something every mum dreads.

“He was hooked up to life support, machines keeping him going,” she said.

“But the surgeon, nurses and hospital staff were so wonderful, we didn’t realise just how common this is, how many kids are affected.

“Before the operation his heart couldn’t cope with oxidising his blood, we had to stop him, pull him up when he was doing too much, starting to turn blue.

“He still gets tired but not as bad as before.”

The Wodonga mum jumped at a chance to talk up HeartKids, a charity partly sponsored by Donut King.

The self-confessed battler says her husband Mark is a regular at the Wodonga Centro franchise.

“We couldn’t contribute financially but are more than happy to tell our story if it means extra money for research into heart conditions affecting children,” she said.

“We had no history of heart problems, have two other children without any issues.

“This really can hit anyone and there is no rhyme or reason to it.”

Donut King store manager Chiquita Johnson said they too had been touched by Sam’s story.

“We have a charity box on the counter and Mark mentioned that Sam had a heart condition,” she said.

“This has brought the issue home, showed that these can make a difference to people’s lives at times of great stress.”

Sam is active again, enjoying life.

But he says looking at photos at the time of the operation still makes him feel scared, a 15cm scar in his chest is a constant reminder.

“It feels a bit weird when people talk about it but I feel so much better now,” he said.

All proceeds from special heart-shaped doughnuts at Donut King this month will go to HeartKids.