A HEART attack victim today thanked the anonymous dog walker who stopped to help in his hour of need.Reg Dickerson, of Stowmarket, is recovering from a heart attack he had while out walking along the River Orwell.

A HEART attack victim today thanked the anonymous dog walker who stopped to help in his hour of need.

Reg Dickerson, of Stowmarket, is recovering from a heart attack he had while out walking along the River Orwell.

While Mr Dickerson's daughter, Sally Samson, called for help, he was cared for by a woman he knows only as Leigh.

Leigh used her mobile telephone to call for an ambulance and stayed with Mr Dickerson. Now he wants to say thank you.

Mr Dickerson, of Danescourt Avenue said: “It was lovely walking down to the river but when it came to trying to get up it was so steep I had to criss-cross like a sheep.

“I suffer with shortness of breath and it was getting worse with every step.

“I managed to find a seat and had to tell my daughter I couldn't take another step.

“I didn't realise I was having a heart attack and it was scary.

“The lady helped calm me down, with soothing words.

“It's difficult for me to find words in the dictionary to thank her, and the ambulance crew, and the doctors, nurses and fellow patients at Ipswich Hospital.

“I don't get to go walking very often, only a few times a year, and I can't go on my own in case I need help.

“It's nice to know there are kind people to help when it's needed.”

After the heart attack, in January, Mr Dickerson spent a week in Ipswich Hospital. He had suffered a heart attack six years before.

The 77-year-old, currently staying for two weeks at sheltered housing at Jamie Cann House, Ravenswood, dedicated his early retirement years to walking in Suffolk. He took slide pictures while he walked and gave talks to clubs in the area, donating money he earned to charity.