A COUNCILLOR who suffered a heart attack last year is fundraising to get a defibrillator for Otley Chevin.

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) owes his life to passersby who used a nearby defibrillator to save him after he collapsed in Pool-in-Wharfedale last January.

A keen runner, Cllr Downes has made a full recovery since having a triple heart bypass and has devoted much of his spare time to fundraising, through long-distance races,

to get more local defibrillators.

He is now aiming to raise £1,700, by competing in the Hardmoors 110 mile Ultra Marathon next month, to have another one installed - this time on the Chevin.

Announcing the details on Facebook, he said: "I'm at it again!

"Last year following my triple heart bypass you all helped me provide three new defibrillators which are now in local parks (Otley Wharfemeadows, Yeadon Dam, and in Pool-

in-Wharfedale).

"Whilst running on the Chevin recently I realised there are none there, so this year's challenge is to fundraise for one.

"The Hardmoors 110 will be the longest I have ever run and will be a huge challenge as it has to be completed in 36 hours."

The race starts on Saturday, May 6 and Cllr Downes can be sponsored at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ryk-downes-1 .