A MOTHER who lost a son has vowed to help the hospital that brought her younger son back to health after heart surgery.

Following Billy Holliday’s second open heart operation at the James Cook Hospital in October 2018, he and his mother, Margaret Holliday, are now taking part in a sponsored swim in aid of the hospital that gave him his life back.

Billy had his first open heart surgery 14 years ago when he was only 29. He found out about his ongoing heart condition when he became ill serving in the Territorial Army.

Margaret of Wastwater Avenue, Workington, said: “He was out in the field.

“He took ill with pains in his chest and they found out he had a leaking valve in his heart.”

It was no doubt a distressing moment for Mrs Holliday having lost her eldest son Terry in the armed forces.

She added: “I do think that he would have maybe ended up going into the army. My eldest son was killed in the army, he was two days off his 19th birthday.”

Mrs Holliday recalled the shocking moment that she heard her son had taken ill. She said: “I got a phone call to say he had been taken to hospital with chest pains.”

She completed a sponsored swim to raise cash for the hospital after he had the first operation, Billy is well enough to take part this time.

The swim will take place on Wednesday, May 22, at Workington Leisure Centre. Fundraisers are aiming to swim a mile in lengths and 11 people are getting involved.

Mrs Holliday said: “He’s been better this time than he was last time.”

Billy has not let his heart problems beat him.

“After his heart operation he always did bodybuilding and he won Mr Cumbria,” his mum added.

In May 2017, he was victorious in the masters over-40 division of the Mr Cumbria competition.

He fulfilled a major goal by winning the regional bodybuilding competition.

Billy said: “That was one thing I’ve always wanted to do. I think it pushed me more just to prove people wrong.”

His win was something of an underdog performance as he recalls many people telling him that he would not be ready in time.

“I proved them all wrong,” he added.

A love of fitness and competition means Billy plans to compete in bodybuilding again in 2020.

Billy is now a father to four; Mason (8), Ella (8), Kaine (18) and Hope, 4 months who was born in the January after his second operation.

A number of Billy’s family and friends will be involved, including Margaret’s grandson, Kaine. Kaine, who has just turned 18, looks to follow in the footsteps of his family members and join the navy.

Margaret said: “His dad’s training him because he’s going in the Royal Navy.”

Despite maintaining a high level of fitness, Billy is still feeling the effects of his heart problems.

He said: “We’re getting there, I’m still just taking it easy.”

Andrew Storey, a friend of Billy’s is also taking part, as well as covering the cost of admission.

Andrew and Billy will also complete a Total Warrior attempt for charity. The endurance challenge involves wading through mud and climbing over cargo nets.

Margaret said: “We’ve got half of the pool to do [the swim]. We should raise quite a lot of money.”

The family are motivated to support the hospital because of the invaluable help they have given.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here,” said Billy, speaking of the James Cook hospital who saved his life.

The replacement had a shelf life though, so he had to have open heart surgery a second time. This time they used tissue from a cow.

The doctors told Billy that the new valve will hopefully last for 15 to 20 years.