Red Day for Sidley fish and chips

He knows just how much that means because only a fortnight ago the 52 year old suffered his third heart attack.

David is recovering from surgery during which two stents were inserted into his arteries but he is now back on his feet and wants to support BHF Red Day with 16 year old son Aaron.

He will be at his fish-and-chip shop, The Chip Basket, in Ninfield Road where he will donate a percentage of everything sold during the day and holding a raffle for which he has donated prizes.

David said: "For every portion of chips we sell during the day I will donate 10 pence, and for every main meal such as cod and chips or sausages and chips I will donate 20 pence.

"I want people to come along and support the BHF. My son Aaron came up with the idea of doing something for Red Day, and I thought it would be good to give something back to help with more research. I thought it was a good idea."

David had finished working in the shop on Friday February 12 and was walking home to Orchard Road when he began feeling pain along his left arm. He felt unwell at home and the pain became worse until he knew he should call for an ambulance.

He suffered his first heart attack, caused by a virus, three and a half years ago, followed by a second episode a few weeks later.

This last time he realised what was happening but was stunned in hospital to discover his heart health had deteriorated during the few years in between '“ in 2006 his arteries were assessed 80% clear, but this last time his right side artery was 98.9% blocked, and his surgeon joked that if he'd know how much work there was to do, he wouldn't have come in to work.

It's been a shock for David who's been careful following his earlier heart problems and watches his intake and lifestyle closely. He is also concerned about the wellbeing of his customers and when he took over the chip shop having worked previously in the building trade he was quick to change over to rapeseed oil for cooking instead of using oil high in saturated fat, and claims the result is better for it, with customers praising the dry golden chips.

"I do appreciate things a lot more now. I try to make things better for myself as well as for other people. For instance I have healthier sausages to sell to the customers '“ it's better for everyone at the end of the day. But as I have looked after myself for the last three and a half years, how come I have got blocked arteries like that? I don't know why that has happened so quick.

"So the more we can do for the BHF and the more help we give, the more research can be done into heart disease."