Sheffield dad's '˜hike of thanks' for care shown to son

Determined octogenarian Cyril Morton, 84, from Killamarsh, completed the 10km Peak District hike arm-in-arm with his daughter Janette.

He challenged himself after witnessing the superb care meted out to his 61-year old son, Alan, when he was hospitalised for six weeks after his heart condition led to critical illness.

Alan, who has learning difficulties, suddenly developed an irregular heartbeat in his forties. Medication controlled this for 20 years but last year his family noticed Alan’s daily trips for a newspaper were taking longer.

Alan’s father said: “This was an early sign of further deterioration of his heart and in March, Alan was treated for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.

“He was critically unwell and further heart weaknesses resulted in fluid retention, which travelled to his lungs and developed to pneumonia. It also resulted in a large bleed from his stomach, where he lost four pints of blood.”

Doctors saved his son’s life a number of times, said Mr Morton, who also recalled how a dedicated nurse stayed by Alan’s side for more than 13 hours.

“Alan is now back at home. Everything is controlled with medication and thanks to staff on Hadfield 1 Ward he can live a normal life once more. We’re delighted with his treatment. We couldn’t have got better anywhere in the world,” Mr Morton added.

Together, he and his daughter raised £268 for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity, to help with services for patients.

The ‘Walk for Wards’ involves walking over five or ten kilometres within the pretty Longshaw Estate in the Peak District. To find out more call 0114 271 1351 or email [email protected]