A WOMAN who appeared in the Telegraph & Argus more than 20 years ago following a major heart operation is to take part in a charity abseil to show her thanks to the NHS.

Hayley Roberts, 35, from Thackley, was featured in the paper back in the 1990s after surgery to fix a hole in her heart.

On the second anniversary of her operation in 1996, the T&A fixed it for her to meet teen idols Boyzone following their sell-out concert at St George's Hall.

Now 22 years on, Hayley, who works at Shipley Community Hospital as a therapy assistant will take the plunge in a charity abseil at the Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).

Speaking about her experience, she said: "When I was little I was diagnosed with a hole in the heart.

"I was born with it, but they didn't find it until I was 10.

"It was a big operation."

She added: "I wanted to give something back to the NHS - I just feel really lucky.

"It [the operation] was quite urgent, they said if I hadn't have had it, I would not have seen 30. It was quite traumatic."

"I owe the NHS a lot - I would not be here if it was not for them."

Following the operation, Hayley said she used to get flashbacks to the Intensive Care Unit as well as anxiety and panic attacks.

But she said she "pushed and pushed and pushed" herself and is now thriving.

She even teaches Zumba at Flacks Fitness in Eccleshill.

Hayley said: "I just want to help others. Kids that are having heart surgery today - I want the to know that it's ok and it will be alright."

She will tackle the abseil, which has a superhero theme, dressed as Supergirl and while admitting she is "terrified" she's buoyed by the fact it's for a good cause.

Hayley will be supported on the day by some of her friends, as well as her parents Diane and Christopher.

The abseil will take place tomorrow and more than 50 NHS staff and supportive members of the public will tackle the 50ft challenge down the side of the BRI.

Participants, who are aged between 10 and 70, are all raising money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity – the official NHS charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Hayley Collis, head of fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “Bradford Hospitals’ Charity has contributed millions of pounds over the years to buy specialist equipment sooner than NHS funds have allowed, to enhance the hospital environment and to pay for specialist staff training. We will soon be unveiling an exciting appeal to transform our radiology department into a child-friendly environment, which we know will make an enormous difference to the patients and families of the 20,000 children and young people who require imaging each year.”