A pub has raised around £5,500 to ease the financial worries of a Bradford man who needs a new heart after emigrating to Australia.

Regulars and visitors at the Nags Head in Clayton Heights raised £3,000 at a fun day earlier this month for Steve Smith and about another £2,500 on Friday.

They wanted to help Mr Smith, who is too ill to work because he needs a heart transplant but still has a mortgage and other living expenses to pay.

The 35-year-old moved to live near Melbourne, Australia, with his wife Janine and their daughters Ashleigh, six, and four-year-old Bethan in February but does not qualify for welfare benefits.

He said: "We're overwhelmed by the amount that's been raised - it's quite a lot more than we anticipated. It will help pay some bills and we'll be able to get some food in store." Mr Smith said if he gets his new heart very soon he could be back at work within eight or nine months but if he has to wait longer he could be off work for a couple of years.

He said waiting for a heart was more stressful than they anticipated and he had been feeling very tired recently.

"I could do with a new heart now," he said, "but I'll just have to wait."

Mr Smith said he was about to embark on a fitness programme because doctors want him to be in better shape before having his operation.

Mrs Smith, 27, said: "We've had a lot of problems money-wise. This money's really going to be useful. It's so nice knowing that everybody's thinking about us."

Nags Head manager Andrew Bell said: "It was brilliant. I can't thank people enough - everybody's been superb. The money will help Steve a heck of a lot."

Mr Smith, who previously worked as a joiner for Bradford Council, needs a new heart because his own has been damaged by a disease called cardiomyopathy. He carries a pager all the time so doctors can contact him as soon as a suitable heart becomes available.

T&A Opinion

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.