A FOOTBALL fan is staging a fundraising match to thank his friends for saving his father’s life.

Staff at Harefield Hospital see hundreds of patients in a critical condition come and go.

But when a health worker’s father was admitted after suffering a heart attack, it suddenly became more than just a place of work place.

In September last year, 23-year-old Lee Jeffries was half way through a busy day working as clinical outcomes officer at the hospital when his mum called to say his dad was being rushed in.

“When dad arrived he didn’t look like himself,” said Lee. He always looked full of life so it killed me seeing him like this.”

A consultant friend of Lee’s, Rob Smith, tried to reassure him that father Mark would survive. “He said to me ‘Don’t worry, I’ll have him out in no time’,” added Lee.

Thanks to hospital staff, Mark – who was just 48 when he suffered the attack – made a full recovery and is now back at home leading a healthier and more active lifestyle.

“Words would never be enough to show my appreciation to them,” said Lee, who lives with his father in Hillingdon. “I see Rob on a daily basis and I don’t know if I should hug him or just keep saying ‘thank you’.”

As lifelong football fans, what better way to raise money than by hosting their own match? The father and son team have secured Watford Football Club’s ground for the event.

Player positions are up for grabs to the highest bidder. Their target is £15,000, and £1,200 has already been raised from bids plus a cake and sweet sale.

Proceeds will pay for equipment to allow hospital staff to keep saving lives.

The match at Vicarage Road will take place in May 2014, the date to be announced soon.

To bid to play, visit www.hhcharityfootball.webs.com or donate at www.justgiving.com/HHcharityfootball.

Offer help or sponsorship for the match by emailing charitygame@rbht.nhs.uk or calling 01895 828 557