JAUNTY Jim Hunter is living proof that a new heart can lead to a new start.

Seven years ago Jim, of Wilkinson Street, Orford, suffered the first of three heart attacks in four years. By last year the former building worker was wheelchair-bound and doctors decided that a transplant operation was his only option.

The transplant, carried out at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital, was a complete success and has given the 56-year-old a new lease of life.

Jim is celebrating the first anniversary of his life-saving operation by jetting off for a sunshine break in Tenerife next month.

"It will be the first time I have flown since my transplant, but I'm in pretty good shape again now so I don't see any problems," he said.

Jim says that he had no reservations about undergoing his five-hour operation.

"It didn't bother me," he said. "It was either that or be stuck in a wheelchair.

"I was in hospital for three weeks after the operation. The first couple of weeks were murder and I was in agony whenever I tried to move.

"But it gradually got easier and I was even able to get to my daughter Catherine's wedding three weeks after the operation.

"I have been fine since, and now I can get around and do things like working on my garden without any problems."

Since the operation, Jim and his family have become fervent supporters of the hospital's 'New Heart - New Start' transplant fund appeal.

"My son and two daughters all carry donor cards now," Jim said. "The more people who are willing to become organ donors, the better."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.