A SUTTON-IN-CRAVEN man who had a heart transplant has organised a charity clay pigeon shoot to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.

Bill Riley, 58, is eager to give back to the Heart and Lung Centre at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, who successfully carried out a heart transplant on Bill just over 11 months ago.

"I wanted to give a little something back because they saved my life," said Bill, who has now organised a charity clay pigeon shoot at Upwood Hall in West Morton on Sunday – almost a year to the day since he received his new heart during an operation on August 1, 2015.

"I've been in and out of hospital during the past few years," added Bill, who was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat about 15 years ago.

He had previously been fitted with a pacemaker and a defibrillator pacemaker, but his condition deteriorated in the summer of 2014 when he had open heart surgery to fit a Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD), which helps a weakened heart pump blood.

"It kept him alive," said Bill's partner, Barbara Beale. "But in the nine months he had that device, he was bleeding so much that he needed 200 blood transfusions."

He went on the transplant waiting list, but because of the seriousness of his condition, Bill soon got a new heart.

"I was a very lucky man and I can't thank them enough," said Bill.

"The staff were absolutely marvellous, and it was like another family on the ward," added Barbara. "We met a lot of people going through the same thing."

Both Bill and Barbara are grateful to Nobby Clark and David Salt for helping to make the Upwood Hall charity shoot possible.

The event will take place from noon to 4.30pm at the Ilkley Road venue.

The winner will receive a £50 first prize, with £25 awarded to the runner-up.

Contact Bill on 01535 957350 for further information.

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