A COVINGHAM man, who cheated death after suffering a massive heart attack in December, is helping to launch a new fun run organised by the British Heart Foundation.

David Mulcock, 57, of St Andrew's Green, collapsed at his home on December 14, despite being a fit and healthy person who had previously run marathons.

But David was dubbed Houdini by hospital staff as he was resuscitated after his heart had stopped for 15 minutes.

After subsequent tests, doctors discovered that three of his arteries were blocked and sent him to the Royal Infirmary in Bristol for a triple heart by-pass operation.

And the WH Smith worker is now so grateful he has been given a second chance at life, he is taking part in the fun run to raise money for other people living with heart disease in Swindon.

The run is a two-mile event, which will be run around Swindon town centre on Thursday, July 27 from 6pm, and is being supported by the Advertiser.

"I did not know what happened for two days after I had the heart attack," said David, who is married to Marilyn and has two grown-up children.

"I came around and the doc tors told me they had spent the previous two days fighting for my life.

"I thought I had a brain haemorrhage at first because I hit my head on the washing machine when I collapsed and I couldn't remember anything of what had happened.

"But the doctors did an angiogram and they told me three of my arteries were blocked.

"My heart attack was so bad, I was dead for 15 minutes and I was called Houdini afterwards because I escaped death." David underwent regular cardiac rehab sessions at Grange Community Centre following his major heart surgery and has gradually built himself back up to fitness.

"I feel I have been given a second chance," he said. "I feel very lucky and this run will give me the chance to help other people who have had similar problems."

The event is being backed by Swindon Town footballer Michael Pook, who will join David and British Heart Foundation staff to launch the event this lunchtime.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the race, Mr Pook said: "I'm pleased to be involved and I think it's important that as many people as possible sign up.

"David was a fit and healthy person and he never thought he was at risk of heart disease, so it just shows it can happen to anyone."