A WESTHOUGHTON man has vowed to raise £3,000 for heart charities after his father almost died from a cardiac arrest last summer.

Danny Meakin, aged 33, is running the London Marathon in April on behalf of Heart Research UK and Arrhythmia Alliance.

His 57-year-old father Alan, who lives in Atherton, suffered a heart attack and subsequent cardiac arrest in June last year.

A fitness instructor, Alan’s heart attack came as a shock to his family, although he is now close to making a full recovery.

The family want to raise awareness of the importance of research, defibrillators and timely CPR to helping people survive heart attacks.

Danny, of Greensbridge Gardens, Westhoughton, describes the recovery of his father — who now goes cycling most weekends and is back at work — as a miracle. Alan had complained of bad heartburn the night before he suffered a cardiac arrest while at work.

He was given CPR and linked up to a defibrillator machine quickly, before being taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Danny said: “If my dad had stayed at home alone he would not be here now.

“Likewise, if he had gone to hospital the night before an ECG would have picked up his heart attack and the cardiac arrest would probably have been avoided.” Just three months earlier, the pair had completed the New York half-marathon.

Danny added: “It was an absolute shock for us as he lived his life for sport and keeping in shape.”

Danny is aiming to raise £1,500 for Heart Research UK, as well as £1,500 for Arrhythmia Alliance, a cause he chose because of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba.

Muamba went into cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane during an FA Cup tie in March, 2012. He also made a full recovery, although he was forced to retire from football.

Danny said: “Both my dad and Fabrice Muamba benefited from CPR and a defibrillator during the five to six minute period when people need help to prevent their brains being starved of oxygen.”

Danny, a medical devices specialist, has been training hard and aims to complete the marathon in less than three hours and 15 minutes.

He is organising a fundraising night at Leigh Sports Village on March 29, where there will games and auctions to help boost his total for Heart Research UK. To donate, visit .justgiving.com/ Daniel-Meakin1