FORMER deputy mayor of Blackpool, Ken Wharmby, has appealed to residents to support the hospital charity which helped to save his life eight years ago.

Now 68-years-old, Ken has been living life to the full since his life-saving transplant operation at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.

Ken is using the occasion of his anniversary to launch an appeal for the hospital's New Heart-New Start Appeal.

Ken is full of praise for the hospital, stressing its vital necessity for the area, as he says: "We have an excellent heart unit in Blackpool but they don't carry out transplant operations. Wythenshawe has a dedicated transplant centre which covers Blackpool and the Fylde and in that respect it is our local hospital."

Since the transplant programme was started at Wythenshawe in April 1987 more than 20 men and women from Blackpool and the Fylde have undergone life-saving transplants.

Since Ken's operation he hasn't looked back, scaling new heights and trying out new experiences - from globetrotting to enjoying heart racing white-knuckle rides with his granddaughter Claire.

He reveals the far reaching implications of his transplant, talking of his granddaughter, he says: "Seeing her grow up has really been one of the best things about my transplant."

The New Heart-New Start Appeal is currently aiming to raise £300,000 a year for the next three years. Donations should be sent to Ann Stuart, Appeal Manager, Transplant Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.