A FORMER Faslane worker who received a life-threatening heart diagnosis after collapsing on a golf course has taken to the fairway to raise money for the team who saved his life.
Hugh Galloway, who is now retired from his work with the MoD at HM Naval Base Clyde, ssuffered a blackout on the Santa Clara golf course in Malaga when playing with friends on holiday last year.
The 75-year-old was playing in the annual golf tour organised by the group - ‘The Spanish 8’ - who were on the last day of their trip when Hugh fell ill.
He flew home that night, and the next day visited a doctor who sent him to the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria.
From there Hugh spent five weeks at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital in Clydebank, before receiving a vital aortic valve replacement at the Golden Jubilee in June 2022.
Hugh, from Dumbarton, has since gone on to make a full recovery and decided to give back to the team who gave him a fresh lease on life by using an annual charity golf event to support NHS Golden Jubilee.
He said: “My friend Donnie Bellshaw has been running an annual charity golf day at my local course for several years now, and I asked him if he could run it this year to raise funds for the Golden Jubilee.
“I agreed with him that whatever was raised from the golf day, I would match it.
"Between the event, my contribution and some very generous support from loved ones and a sweep for the Women’s World Cup, we have raised more than £3,700.
“I’m so grateful to everyone for their support and donations.
"After everything I went through, I really wanted to thank everyone in the team at the Golden Jubilee for my life-saving treatment, and to all the other staff across the NHS who gave me the best care I could have asked for.
“They will all have a special place in my heart, which is doing much better now thanks to them.”
Donnie, who also works at the naval base, as head of HSE for the defence and security operating unit of engineering services company, Jacobs, said: “I have been extremely fortunate to be part of a team that includes both Jacobs and Mott MacDonald, where we developed a really strong social values team dedicated to raising funds for local charities.
“The success that we have had over the years has been outstanding due to the commitment of the team and the support from management.
“When Hugh approached me, it really was a no-brainer and the whole team got to work planning the event.
"All of this was also only possible thanks to the fantastic support of those that turned up on the day to play and support the event, and the financial support from both organisations."
Cardiothoracic consultant Hari Doshi, who carried out Hugh’s procedure, said: “Everyone in the team is extremely grateful to Hugh and his friends for thinking of us and raising such a massive amount of money for the Golden Jubilee.
“Our services not only save lives, but help people like Hugh get back to doing the things he loves doing in life and we’re very happy and proud to provide this treatment at NHS Golden Jubilee.”
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