AN 84-year-old runner who is set to undergo vital heart surgery today gave his backing to The Evening Star's Have a Heart campaign.

IPSWICH: AN 84-year-old runner who is set to undergo vital heart surgery today gave his backing to The Evening Star's Have a Heart campaign.

Frank Copping, of Blenheim Court, off Beaufort Street, Ipswich, has donated �100 to the cause because he believes the people of Suffolk deserve the best healthcare.

Donations have continued to pour in since the appeal was launched in August.

The money raised will help create a catheter laboratory at Ipswich Hospital. The appeal is asking for just one pound from every person who may need care at the hospital's cardiac department in the future - which could collect �350,000.

The fund has already reached nearly �12,000.

Mr Copping was devastated when he discovered he would have to undergo lifesaving open heart surgery in the next few months.

As the oldest member of Ipswich JAFFA running club, the pensioner used to take daily runs from his home to Chantry Park but six months ago he noticed he started to get dizzy and breathless when exercising.

He was referred to Ipswich Hospital, where they discovered he had a leaking valve in his heart.

Mr Copping said: “The doctors said if I didn't have the operation, I might only live another six months. They said there was still more years in me yet.

“I have been running all my life. I can still walk but I'm not allowed to walk fast or run.

“The running club was formed 30 years ago. Someone from the club saw me running and asked if I would like to join. I am a life member there. Once I have my operation, I am going to get back in touch with them.

“I wanted to give money to this appeal because I think it is really worthwhile. The staff at Ipswich Hospital are excellent.”

To support the 'Have a Heart' appeal 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.

Do you support our appeal? Tell us why? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Have A Heart

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.

More than 24,000 people signed a petition against the plans, and the Star took the petition to 10 Downing Street, accompanied by the Heartbeat East Suffolk and prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives, Ben Gummer.

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 could 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.