BABY Elvis is too young to realise it but the machine checking his little heart is courtesy of a collective of big hearts. 

Cairns Base Hospital's $193,000 echocardiography system was the result of tireless fundraising by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.

For paediatric cardiologist Dr Ben Reeves, the arrival of the ultrasound machine was an early Christmas present.

"This updated echocardiography machine will provide me with higher quality images of children's hearts," he said.

"I will then be able to more accurately diagnose and treat children with heart disease."

The system will help Dr Reeves treat patients from premature babies to 18-year-olds, who travel from as far afield as Tully, Thursday Island and Mt Isa.

The foundation's purchase of a $115,000 portable echocardiography system means he can assess children in his clinics up to four times a year in Weipa, Cooktown, Bamaga and Thursday Island.

Dr Reeves said he was grateful for the foundation's efforts to equip him with quality medical equipment.

In late September, he demonstrated his appreciation by participating in the 2012 Cardiac Challenge 335km fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown, which raised $350,000 to enhance cardiac care services in the Far North.

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