A CHARITY champion is using the beautiful game to help achieve his goal of boosting awareness about heart conditions in memory of his much-missed dad.

Joseph Quinn's father Edward passed away after a battle with left ventricular heart disease at the age of just 36.

Since his beloved dad's death 15 years ago, Joseph, from Port Glasgow, has fundraised tirelessly for local and national charities.

To mark the British Heart Foundation's National Heart Month, Joseph has been working hard this February to educate people about chronic heart conditions - and now he's signed Morton up to help.

During Ton's game against Dundee on Saturday, fans watching at home will hear at each corner kick won by the home side that it is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation.

St Mirren will also be dedicating a home game to the charity in March.

Cigna healthcare insurance worker Joseph, who lives in Rona Avenue, says the need to highlight heart conditions is greater than ever because of the pandemic.

Joseph, 26, said: "During coronavirus, I think there's been a change in attitude towards heart conditions.

"They're still the cause of so many deaths in Scotland but I think sometimes they are forgotten about.

"Recent figures show that 460 people in the UK die from cardiovascular disease every day.

"People should still be going to their appointments, doctors are still there to help.

"I want to raise as much awareness as I can."

Joseph was recently contacted by the charity and asked if he could get the National Heart Month message across to more people by using football.

He hopes that mentioning the charity will encourage fans to find out more about National Heart Month and maybe even donate to the cause.

Since his dad passed away, Joseph has become an unofficial ambassador for the BHF in Inverclyde.

The charity has put him through a public speaking course and he's looking forward to visiting schools, clubs and community groups to give talks once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Joseph added: "I'm hoping that mentioning National Heart Month at the football will encourage fans to have a look online and find out more about it.

"There are so many different types of heart conditions and problems that can change lives in so many different ways.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there and speaking to people about it.

"I know my dad would be proud."