A GOOD-hearted grandfather went without birthday presents to boost a heart scanner appeal.
Instead of drawing up a gift list for his 80th birthday, generous Charlie Hall asked friends and relatives to make a donation to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Mr Hall’s kind act raised £240, which became the first money donated to the BHF’s Heart of Durham appeal.
The charity launched the campaign to buy a new 2D Echocardiogram machine for University Hospital of North Durham (UHND), in Durham City, last month.
Mr Hall, whose birthday is September 23, suffered a heart attack three years ago, undergoing heart surgery at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.
The grandfather-of-four is retired and lives in Crook, County Durham, having worked as a grocer and in other jobs.
As a token of thanks for his generosity, he received a certificate of appreciation from BHF.
Fiona Turner, manager of the Heart of Durham appeal, said: "It was absolutely delightful to receive Charlie’s donation - the first the appeal had received.
"It is fantastic that somebody would consider giving to us instead of receiving themselves on their birthday, particularly in the current economic climate."
The Heart of Durham appeal aims to add to UHND’s existing three heart scanners.
The machines perform about 500 scans a month but one is outdated and new equipment is needed.
A fourth could cut waiting times from four-and-a-half weeks to three weeks and expand care into communities across north Durham.
Senior cardiologist Michael Cave, who is leading the campaign, says the hospital is facing an increasing amount of work and if one machine broke down, it would be ‘completely stuck’.
Similar BHF appeals in the last 18 months have succeeded in buying new heart scanners for Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland General Hospital.
Heart of Durham has already won the backing of Coun Dennis Southwell, the Mayor of Durham, who urged residents to consider supporting it.
BHF is inviting donations, proceeds from sponsored events, legacy payments and other assistance.
For more information about the appeal, call appeal manager Fiona Turner on: 01642-562-162 or email: turnerf@bhf.org.uk
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