THIS is the man behind a new appeal to raise thousands of pounds for cardiac patients in Grimsby.

The appeal is close to the heart of Big Red Heart Appeal co-ordinator Ron Kitching in more ways than one - as he has previously suffered a heart attack and had a quadruple bypass, receiving "fantastic" care.

Now the 77-year-old – the chairman of the Grimsby and District Healthcare charity – has launched the Big Red Heart Appeal to raise cash for a new coronary angiography suite at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

Chairman of the Grimsby and District Health Care Charity Ron Kitching and executive director Lynsey Fern.

The aim is to raise up to £2-million over two years for cardiac equipment that will transform the lives of thousands of people in North East Lincolnshire.

Read about how Mr Kitching recovered from a heart attack and quadruple bypass in today's Grimsby Telegraph.

To get involved in the Big Red Heart Appeal, call Grimsby and District Health Care on (01472) 352959 or visit www.gdhc.co.uk, or call Mr Kitching on 07906 614271 – and keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph.