A pensioner with first-hand experience of Airedale Hospital’s A&E unit is urging people to support the Emergency Department Appeal.

Jack Robson, 78, visited A&E because of concerns about his swollen right leg. He feared he may have deep vein thrombosis.

He is now undergoing tests on his heart and is due to see a consultant cardiologist soon regarding possible by-pass surgery.

“I’ve been having various tests – the last one being an arteriogram – before I visit the surgeon to consider what should be done next,” said Mr Robson.

“Having a local Emergency Department is really important to me and my family, and it would be great if people could support the fundraising appeal.”

Staff nurse, Carol Dod-gson said interest in the appeal, which is backed by the Keighley News, had been growing, and that others like Mr Robson will also benefit from the new facilities.

“We have been asked by a number of patients who come into the department about how the appeal is going after they read about it in the paper,” she said.

“It’s great to know that so many of our patients want to help us raise awareness.

“It will be brilliant to raise the funds to buy, for example, our new state-of-the-art cardiac monitors, which will help us to enhance the care of patients like Jack.”