A kind-hearted local has given a generous donation to Our Bolton NHS Charity to help those in need.

Bob Higham, from Westhoughton, has donated £2,100 and a number of items to the charity, including:

• Eight pulse oximeters
• Six aerobic steps
• Four blood pressure monitors
• A CD player/DAB radio
• A projector

Bob had a heart attack during the pandemic but only received one phone call from the cardiac rehabilitation team as the service was significantly reduced due to COVID-19.

Once the service was back up and running he went to see the team at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Bob said:

Following my heart attack I’d received hardly any cardiac rehabilitation, due to COVID, but when I went to see Joanne she was showing me what had happened and the projector she was using kept just giving up.

“I offered to get a new one as to be honest the one Joanne was using looked like it was out of the Flintstones.

Bob arranged a raffle to raise money for the new projector and for the British Heart Foundation, with generous well-wishers helping him to raise £3,760.

The Trust will use part the funds to buy two iPads for use by the cardiac team in delivering education and support to patients.

Joanne Varker, Cardiac Specialist Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

Cardiac rehab has helped Bob to understand and put into perspective his diagnosis and get his life back – this led him to go above and beyond for our service in raising so much money.

“The money for the charity, as well as the equipment he’s donated, will benefit us greatly in helping other patients.

Bob added:

Thank you to everyone who helped in my endeavor to raise some much needed money for a great cause.

Abdul Goni, Charity Engagement Coordinator at Our Bolton NHS Charity, said:

This is a wonderful donation and we can’t thank Bob enough for his generosity.

“From being a former patient who received treatment at Royal Bolton Hospital to becoming a proud support is really inspiring and demonstrates that great things can happen when we’re supported by the community we serve.

Our Bolton NHS Charity is the official NHS charity partner of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.