A DOCTOR who received a life-saving heart transplant operation has teamed up with the organ donor to raise money for Harefield Hospital.

Dr Michael Dyer, 64, who treated patients from his Abbots Langley practice for more than 25 years, is one of very few people in Britain in the position of being able to thank the donor who saved his life.

Mr Nigel "Manny" Preston of Newbury, had been suffering from chronic respiratory condition cystic fibrosis for the past 19 years.

He received a double lung and heart transplant at Harefield Hospital in January 1997.

Although Mr Preston's heart was still healthy, the operation is technically safer if both organs are transplanted together.

By coincidence, Dr Dyer was being treated at the hospital at the same time for a condition that affected his heart muscles and he, too, desperately needed a transplant.

An operation began to treat both men together while Mr Preston's healthy heart was transplanted to help Dr Dyer.

These extraordinary circumstances meant that not only were the men able to meet each other but they also spent their recovery period in the same ward.

Mr Preston, 35, said: "I had been given 18 months to live and as you can imagine I was over the moon when I was able to have the heart and lung transplant.

"But what made it even more wonderful was knowing that my operation had helped someone else.

"I first met Dr Dyer while I was in intensive care.

"I was still a bit groggy from the operation and I asked my wife who was that man waving at me.

"She told me it was a man who I had donated my heart to."

Dr Dyer said: "I am very grateful to Mr Preston and it feels great to have a 35-year-old heart."

Before the operation, 18 months ago, Dr Dyer was only able to walk a few steps before becoming breathless.

The operation transformed his life and he can now do everything he used to do.

Dr Dyer moved from his Bedmond home to live in Leverstock Green when he retired a few years ago.

He took part in a fundraising drive two weeks ago which took him on a 1,600-mile journey across Europe to Switzerland.

He and co-driver Mr John Beesley managed to raise more than £1,000 for the hospital in the 50th anniversary rally of the MG Car Club of Switzerland.

Dr Dyer said: "There were more than 400 MG cars there and the entire journey was a success.

"Thankfully we didn't have any trouble with the car and we had the chance to drive along high mountain passes which was very exciting."

Mr Preston, who still keeps in touch with Dr Dyer, has also got involved in the fundraising drive.

He has collected more than £260 for the hospital.

Dr Dyer said: "I owe my life to the staff at Harefield Hospital and it feels great to be able to give something back."

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