A FORMER High Wycombe mayor has praised listeners to a Wycombe-based radio station for their generosity after his Ramadan radio appeal for a life-saving heart machine raised £10,000.

Cllr Mahboob Hussain made an address on Awaaz Radio for help in funding a £100,000 laser heart machine at Wycombe Hospital.

And he said he was bowled over by the reaction his plea received, with offers of help flooding in from across the area.

He said: "When I was mayor in 2000 I raised money for a heart machine at Wycombe Hospital, and it has saved hundreds of lives since the end of my term. now I want to do the same for the new laser heart machine.

"Ramadan is a month for giving to charity and it was unbelievable the amount we raised in just a couple of hours. I can’t believe the generosity of the listeners, people came up to the station to donate.

"I think it’s wonderful, I’m very proud of people’s generosity and the way they supported the appeal.

"My family have a history of heart problems which is why I chose the heart appeal during my term. I hope we reach our destination and can start to save more lives, and I’m very grateful to Awaaz Radio."

Cllr Hussain made the appeal, part of Scannappeal alongside Dr Siroosh Firoozan, consultant cardiologist at Wycombe Hospital.

He said: "I was asked by Cllr Mahboob Hussain to appear on Awaaz radio on behalf of Scannappeal one evening during Ramadan. I explained the need for equipment for the cardiac lab at Wycombe to the listening public and was amazed by their generous response.

"My understanding is that around £10,000 was raised that night and for this I thank the people of Wycombe and Awaaz Radio."

Scannappeal is working towards its goal of raising £100,000 for the laser heart machine at Wycombe Hospital.