SUFFOLK heart patients have put their money where their mouths are as they battle for the best care possible in the county.

SUFFOLK heart patients have put their money where their mouths are as they battle for the best care possible in the county.

In just a few days big-hearted Evening Star readers have already donated more than �750 to help Ipswich Hospital in its quest to develop state-of-the-art cardiac facilities.

The Star's 'Have a Heart' blockbuster campaign is collecting cash to build a catheter laboratory at Heath Road which could eventually be used to treat the most serious heart attacks, rather than sending patients outside of the county.

More than 24,000 people signed petitions arguing for the service to be available in Ipswich, and now they are sticking to their principles by collecting cash to see the dream become a reality.

The Star is asking for just one pound from every person who may need care at Ipswich Hospital's cardiac department in the future - which would collect around �350,000 - but many have given much, much more.

One of the generous donations came from the family of Ken Carlo who died aged 84 in December after suffering a heart attack.

His wife Peggy, from the Broke Hall estate in Ipswich, said: “This won't bring him back but I just hope it helps as much as it can. I want to do anything I can to help the hospital in his memory.”

Mr Carlo's daughter, Carol, added: “Anyone who has experienced a heart attack happening to a relative will know why it is so important that we have the best care we can at Ipswich.”

The family's desire for a specialist heart centre to be set up in Ipswich was echoed by health campaigner Prue Rush.

She said: “I'm not surprised that the people of Suffolk have been so generous and already made such a difference.

“They know what they want and have always been prepared to stick up for that.

“That is happening again with this wonderful appeal and I'm sure it will go on to even greater things.”

To support the campaign send cheques made payable to Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust to Have a Heart, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or donate money in person at the Star's Ipswich offices.

If you want to start fundraising to help us raise as much money as possible for the hospital, let us know about your event by calling The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.

Have a Heart appeal

The Evening Star's 'Have a Heart' appeal is raising money to help fund a specialist heart attack centre at Ipswich Hospital

Three high-tech primary angioplasty (PPCI) centres have been set up at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Papworth in Cambridge and Basildon in Essex, but not in Suffolk

From September 1 serious heart attack patients in Suffolk will be sent to these centres, facing much longer journeys for care than people living nearby, and therefore having less chance of survival

Health bosses say Ipswich Hospital does not currently have the infrastructure or staff to provide the service

The Evening Star has been campaigning for a primary angioplasty centre to be set up in Ipswich so residents have the best level of care possible and don't face long journeys for treatment

After successfully changing healthcare policy with our campaign we have now launched the 'Have a Heart' appeal which is raising money to help set up a catheter laboratory at Heath Road

The Star is asking for just one pound from every person who may need care at Ipswich Hospital's cardiac department in the future - which would collect around �350,000

The lab will originally be used to treat non-urgent heart operations but could eventually be expanded into a primary angioplasty centre