John Birks and family

Update! John has had his pacemaker fitted and is now home and starting his recovery journey. He will still additional support and we are still keen to help him get all of the jobs he had planned this year completed. Thank you for your support

John has had covid twice, and at Christmas, he was very ill with a chest infection. He saw his GP and was prescribed antibiotics. These were not as effective as he had hoped and he went back and was given steroids and different antibiotics, this happened throughout a couple of months. As a team leader he didn't want to let the team or Victa down and continued to work. The chest infection came back, and the doctor did the usual checks, and although he was given more antibiotics, he was referred for an ECG, to check his heart as he was feeling constantly breathless.

He had his ECG last Monday and was then called, several times by his GP. Due to the lack of signal at Dove Holes, they couldn't reach him and were contacting his family. John was admitted into hospital and is now in ACU, his heart is not working as it should and he is awaiting an operation to fit a pacemaker. There seems to be no reason for why this has happened. He will then need to rest and have several more check-ups.

Understandably this has been hugely upsetting for John and his family and friends. His wife is now off work to be with him, putting an additional financial strain on the family. He will also have to make adjustments going forward. (I'm not sure his railway will be going anywhere though!).

His employer is supporting him and lots of people have asked how they can help. As well as wishing him better. John had a few projects in the house and garden, he would like to get finished as well as a holiday planned in August. It would be great if the railway family can help John achieve these goals. Please share the page and help John and his family.