A FATHER-of-three who says he is “lucky” to be alive after having a cardiac arrest while at work is hitting the road to help look after those who saved him.

Adrian Abbott will be walking 10km to support the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity.

He said he was inspired to take part in the Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards on Sunday, July 7, at Wilton House, by the care he received at the hospital and will be joined by some of his colleagues from MJ Abbott.

In August 2023, Adrian, from Salisbury, suffered a cardiac arrest, which is when the heart suddenly stops beating.

“I was lucky to survive it,” he said. “I was driving a forklift and then suddenly had a cardiac arrest.

“I collapsed and fell out of the forklift with my head landing on concrete.

“Luckily, one of my colleagues rushed over and gave me CPR while another came out with a defibrillator.

“I was given two shocks with the defibrillator and 20 minutes of CPR.”

Ambulance crews then arrived and rushed Adrian to Salisbury Hospital.

“I would never have made it to the hospital without my colleagues,” the 54-year-old went on. “I want to thank them, the hospital staff and the paramedics for saving my life.”

Adrian was put into an induced coma and spent a week on the Radnor Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was later cared for on Tisbury Cardiac Ward, where he spent a further week.

He added: “They looked after me incredibly well. I can’t fault the care I received.”

While in hospital, Adrian benefitted from a range of Stars Appeal-funded facilities on the ICU, including state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated bathroom which helps patients with their rehabilitation, independence and recovery, that Adrian described as being a “five-star” facility.

He previously took part in Walk for Wards after his twin girls received care on the hospital’s Neonatal Unit.

“It is very difficult to come into Salisbury Hospital and not be touched by projects, equipment and facilities funded by the Stars Appeal,” he added.

“I want to raise money for the Stars Appeal as the charity benefits so many people in the local community.”

People can still sign up to the Walk for Wards fundraiser, at www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards.
More than 750 walkers have already signed up. It is free to register, and participants are asked to commit to raising at least £20 per person.