Simon Watt climbing Snowdon after open heart surgery

Simon Watt is climbing Mount Snowdon to say thank you to the NHS team who saved his life.

Simon Watt is scaling the highest mountain in Wales and England to raise money for Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity.

As someone with type 1 diabetes, Simon’s heart attack escalated into life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis - the breaking down of fat at a rate that is much too fast - and his kidneys started failing.

After spending time in the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Wales, Simon was transferred to the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI).

There he had his lifesaving open-heart surgery during his five and a half week stay.

He said: “I’m calling this ‘Challenge Meets Challenge’ because I’ve decided to take on a challenge to help the BHI meet the challenges they face in saving people’s lives.

“I’m a lot fitter now than I was when I had my heart attack, but this won’t be an easy challenge as I’m not a seasoned climber.

"I’ve chosen Snowdon as it has the railway as a contingency plan, just in case.”

Simon is taking on Snowdon on Monday, May 16, with his son and some work colleagues.

He is aiming to raise £2,000 for Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity, the NHS charity for Bristol city centre, south Bristol and Weston hospitals.

He said: “I’ve always wanted to say thank you.

"I want to give back to the BHI staff what they gave to me in saving my life.

“I’m very much looking forward to it.

"If you know me, I just set my mind to something and just get out and do it. I wear my family out with that.”

Megan Watts, from Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity, said: “Simon’s fundraising will help BHI staff continue to go above and beyond for patients like himself.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Simon. Fundraising is a great way to say thank you for your care.”

To sponsor Simon, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-watt3.

To find out more about Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, go to: bwhospitalscharity.org.uk