HEART OP pensioner Graham Quayle is appealing for support for a sponsored swim in aid of hospitals which have given him a new lease of life.

Mr Quayle, from Brown Edge, is doing well after undergoing a triple bypass operation last October at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary.

He also received two new heart valves while there, and in January had a pacemaker fitted at the City General Hospital.

The surgery and pacemaker have transformed his life, and his youngest daughter Caroline and grandson Martin Horne are to do a sponsored swim at Biddulph Leisure Centre in aid of the hospitals.

The duo are due to take the plunge at 6.30pm on October 12, and Mr Quayle is looking for sponsorship.

He celebrated his 65th birthday this month, and asked friends and family to make a donation to the hospitals instead of buying him a present.

"You can say thank you to the hospitals, but I wanted to do something more because they were so good to me," he said.

"My daughter and grandson are hoping to do 128 lengths between them in two hours, and raise as much as possible for the hospitals."

Caroline comes from Ball Green, Martin lives in Brown Edge, and anyone who would like to support the event can ring Mr Quayle on 01782-502639.

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