A MAN whose life was saved by a defibrillator when he collapsed after a training run is to finally complete his Couch To 5k challenge just 13 months after his cardiac arrest.

A year ago ago Ian Goodliffe, 65, of Hamilton Street, Mill Hill, was warming down in the car-park after an organised run in Witton Park, Blackburn, when he collapsed and his heart stopped beating.

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Council staff member Sarah Drinkwater, who works in the leisure department, found Mr Goodliffe just in time to save his life. She used a nearby defibrillator to shock his heart while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Ian has since retired from his job as a taxi driver and is fully recovered after having several stents fitted in his heart.

He has set himself a challenge to buy more defibrillators for Blackburn. So he is taking part in this year’s challenge to raise funds to purchase more defibs from Heartbeat, the North West Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre.

Ian said: “Being given this second chance has most certainly made me appreciate every day a little more.

“Since retiring I have found more time for me and have enjoyed gardening and getting out more.

“I am aiming to raise enough to put a defibrillator outside the Beehive pub in Cherry Tree on Preston Old Road. I want it to be in a busy public place.

“I am glad to be be finally completing the Couch To 5k, which is what I was attempting when I had the cardiac arrest.

“I am now seven weeks in to a nine-week challenge, all with my doctor’s blessing.”

His final celebration 5k run will be at Witton Park in Blackburn on Saturday, May 21.

To sponsor Ian, visit justgiving.com/ianscouchto5k.