A BURNLEY man who underwent a life-saving liver transplant has thanked his former bosses for making a charity donation.

Barnfield Construction sent Graham Brownbill a cheque for £250 made out to the British Liver Trust after finding out about his battle with illness.

In 2009 Graham, 52 was diagnosed with advanced liver failure as a result of hemochromatosis, an inherited disease where too much iron builds up in blood.

A year ago he underwent a life-saving liver transplant, but later developed a number of infections and had to go under the surgeon’s scalpel another five times, which left him needing around-the-clock care in hospital for another 10 months.

Following a lengthy rehabilitation, which involved spells in St James’s Hospital, Leeds, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Burnley General Hospital and Pendle Community Hospital, Graham finally made it back home with his family in time for Christmas.

James Webber, contracts manager at Barnfield, said the firm felt compelled to help after reading about the former joiner’s ordeal in the Lancashire Telegraph.

He said: “Graham used to work for us as a sub-contractor quite a few years ago.

“When we realised Graham was an ex-employee and that had been raising money for charity we felt it would be worthwhile to make a token gesture. Everyone here wishes him a speedy recovery.”

James visited Graham at his home in Brunshaw Road, Burnley, where he lives with his wife Sara and her son Thomas, yesterday.

Graham said he was getting stronger by the day and thanked Barnfield for the donation.

“I was very surprised and it was very nice of them,” he said.

A spokesman for the British Liver Trust said: “We are extremely grateful to Barnfield Construction for their very kind and generous donation that will allow us to continue to provide our vital patient support and health information services to people affected by liver disease across the country.”