DOMINO transplant pals Ernie King and Denis Wright have been re-united to help repay their debt of gratitude to the hospital which saved their lives.

Ernie, 49, from Lowton was given his new heart and lungs in June 1991 in what was only the second "domino" transplant operation at Wythenshawe Hospital.

His own healthy heart was given to Denis, of Shuttleworth, near Ramsbottom - and the two men have been close friends ever since.

Together they gave Ann Stuart, manager of Wythenshawe hospital's New Heart New Start Appeal a helping hand, when she received a cheque for £1,000 from Golborne Village Club regulars.

The money was raised at a charity night last year which included a cabaret and various fund-raising events.

Both men are now back to full health and enjoying their brand new start in life.

Ernie is now employed as a team leader at Pilkington Glass in St Helens, the company where he worked before his operation as a furnace operative.

"I feel just great now," he said.

Mrs Stuart said: "Ernie and Denis are just two of a rapidly growing number of men and women throughout the region whose renewed health and zest for life clearly demonstrates the real benefits of transplantation in human terms.

"Unfortunately, there are many others now on the waiting list for a transplant and our ability to give them this second chance depends entirely upon the availablility or donor organs and the generosity of donor families."

The appeal is currently setting its sights on its Mission 2000 fund-raising targets - to raise money for operations over and above those funded by the government and to develop a dedicated transplant research programme.

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