A former Royal Navy captain recently ran the Cardiff half marathon in aid of Withybush Hospital Emergency Department, just 15 months after he was rushed there having suddenly collapsed and hit his head.

Captain Brian Thomas, of Croesgoch, was quickly transferred to the Heath Hospital Cardiff where he spent four weeks in a coma, and his prognosis was bleak.

He went on to spend a total of eight weeks at the Heath before making an incredible recovery to comple the run on October 14th in around two hours 20 minutes, raising a total of £730.

Cpt Thomas said: “I wasn’t trying to break any records.

There were a few blisters and blood blisters but I just paced myself.

“If it wasn’t for this A&E unit and the rapid decision to send me to Cardiff I wouldn’t be here now.”

He said his friend Dr Rachel McAvoy had inspired him to donate the money to department’s family room.

Senior nurse manager for emergency care at Withybush, David Hawkings, said: “We want to buy items for the relatives room to make sure people’s stay there is more comfortable.

“The donation is absolutely fabulous and it’s not often the emergency department gets this sort of gesture of good will, it’s good motivation and a boost to the hard working staff.”