A Bradford man has paid tribute to heart specialists for saving his life in quadruple bypass surgery at a new heart centre.

Donald Schofield, 51, of Wyke, had not even realised he had suffered a heart attack and was forced to undergo the complicated operation at the new Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary.

Charity fund-raisers have just launched a roadshow in Bradford, aiming to raise extra cash for the unit which treats people with serious heart complications from across the county.

Heart disease is the biggest killer in Bradford and hundreds of people from the area are expected to use the hi-tech centre in coming years. It is situated in the new £90 million Jubilee Wing at the infirmary to be officially opened by Health Secretary Frank Dobson later this month.

Mr Schofield said he was just delighted to be alive, enabling him to toast his 31st wedding anniversary with wife Margaret exactly a month after the operation in February.

He had suffered a heart attack in 1996 but did not find out until seven months later when he was admitted to hospital.

"You always keep your hopes up, but doctors did tell me that I could die," he said. "My wife did not think I would be here today. I am just grateful for the treatment I received."

Surgeon Venkat Chandrasekaran said Mr Schofield's heart was operating to only 30 per cent of its capacity and it was clear he needed surgery.

"This is a very poor condition and in situations like this there was a chance that he could die. But the surgery was successful and he should make a good recovery," he said.

A roadshow has now been launched to raise thousands of pounds for the Yorkshire Heart Centre.

Charity group Take Heart hopes their fundraising efforts will benefit people from across the region

The first event will be at Lidget Green Working Men's Club in Lidget Lane, Bradford, at 8pm on March 21.

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