On the 9th August 2015 I was rushed into Antrim Area Hospital where staff worked for three hours to give me urgent medical attention. It resulted in transfer to RVH Belfast in the early hours of the morning where I was rushed into the CCU theatre for an emergency procedure to drain 1.75 litres fluid from me, as my heart was swimming in fluid after open heart surgery. To quote the doctor I almost broke his record that night. Almost - but not quite. So now I want to say thank you to all the doctors and staff in Antrim Area Hospital.

I am running the Belfast Half Marathon on the 23rd September 2018 with my sister-in-law Linda Smyth and I am asking all my friends if you would please sponsor me. Let me say thank you to a fantastic, selfless group of people who truly saved my life that night, to which I will be eternally grateful.

We would very much appreciate your donations for this worthy cause, to say a big thank you to the amazing and dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at our NHS hospitals.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and your support will be greatly appreciated for a essential service.