Every day that Les Viles gets up, he thanks his lucky stars.

Each morning is a bonus for the former maintenance engineer who spent two weeks unconscious and battling for life.

And the 57-year-old Skipton man knows only too well that his gift of life is thanks to the neurological team, led by Philip Van Hillier at Leeds General Infirmary.

It is estimated 70 per cent of people who are felled by the same type of brain haemorrhage as Mr Viles never pull through.

So, as soon as the opportunity arose for him to raise cash for the unit as a thank you, he grabbed the chance.

This year he has been President of Skipton branch of The Oddfellows, a fellowship organisation with groups nationwide, and chose for his charity the neurological department at Leeds.

And on Saturday, Mr Van Hillier was invited to The Oddfellows Hall in Rectory Lane, to accept the cheque for £2,386.

"I knew straight away what I wanted to do when I became President," he said.

"Mr Van Hillier save my life, it's as clear as that. I'm only here because of him and his team. And this is a wonderful opportunity to pay something back.

"I'm lucky to be here. So many people don't pull through.

"It has made me realise life is for now - you can't think about next week - live it today and I am doing. I try to appreciate each day and get the most out of it," said Mr Viles, who has taken on the job of The Oddfellows secretary.

He collapsed on December 2 2000 with what was later discovered to be a brain haemorrhage.

Appropriately, Mr Viles' partner Frances Hawthornthwaite will be there for the cheque presentation ceremony.

For it was she - all 5ft 1ins of her - who managed to drag his 6ft 5ins and 17 stone frame from the bathroom and get him back into bed on the morning he collapsed at their home in Regent Crescent, Skipton.

"How she did it I don't know. I don't think she does either," said Mr Viles.

Mrs Hawthornthwaite, 62, said: "I heard a bang and thought gosh, the ceiling is falling in. Les was in the bathroom and unconscious.

"I got in, swung him round on his bottom and dragged him to the bed. I just found the strength from somewhere."

He sent about two weeks at LGI before being transferred to Airedale General Hospital at Steeton, where he learned to walk again with the aid of a frame.

It took another two years before he was clear of the worst symptoms, but even now he suffers from dizziness and he has been unable to go back to the job he loved.

The money is expected to go towards a research project.