Former Mayor of Narberth, Clr. Henry Langen, has made a special presentation to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.

The bi-pap synchrony ventilator was presented as a thank you by Clr. Langen for the treatment he received there three years ago when he was seriously ill.

"Back in April 2009, I was taken into Withybush Hospital with heart failure," explained Clr. Langen.

"All treatment to stabilise my condition was failing, and in the words of the doctor 'we are losing him'.

"Then my respiratory nurse and physiotherapist had an idea that as my breathing was so low overnight, my lungs were not oxygenating my body sufficiently, and they had just taken delivery of a bi-pap synchrony ventilator on trial, they would use it on me.

"This was a new machine to help people in my condition. The machine was a first for the hospital; I was put on it that night and it worked. My oxygen saturations came right back to normal and the rest is history. They saved my life. I came home with the machine and sleep in it every night, without it I would die."

Clr. Langen continued: "I am very indebted to the NHS for this and wanted to give something back, so I decided to raise enough money to purchase a bi-pap. They cost £2,300.

"We held a race night in the Dragon pub in November 2010, hosted by Eric Bates, and with the support of friends and local businesses raised over £1,000.

"There was a need to raise another £1,300 for the purchase of the machine. With one thing and another, this did not occur. However, on a visit to my respiratory clinic, recently, I decided to give the initial money we had collected, but was told that they would rather wait for me to raise the full amount.

"There is an ongoing urgent need for this equipment and this machine would allow for earlier discharge of patients whilst their own was purchased. Not all patients require this treatment permanently, unlike my own case. However, it is extremely useful in reversing respiratory failure in a few hours."

Therefore, Henry and his partner and carer, Yve Armstrong, decided they would make a personal donation of the remaining £1,300 themselves.

"We have now purchased a bi-pap synchrony ventilator and presented it to the hospital," added Clr. Langen.