South Shields fundraiser the Big Pink Dress praises South Tyneside Hospital following health scare

The much-loved charity champion returned home on Wednesday, July 3 after being admitted to South Tyneside District Hospital with a heart problem.

Colin Burgin-Plews was experiencing chest pains and numbness in his arm when he was admitted to hospital on Saturday, June 29 and a heart scan revealed a blocked valve and high blood pressure.

Now back at his home in South Shields, Colin explained: “I’m not in any danger at the moment, I’ve just got to take it easy. I’ve been given beta blockers to help my blood pressure come down and stop the blocked artery – I’m hoping to get back to work next week.”

The 50-year-old also expressed his gratitude to staff at the hospital.

“The doctors and nurses at that hospital were amazing, every single one of them,” he said.

“When you go in with a heart problem you are terrified, but they were so lovely. Especially Ward 6, they always had a laugh and a smile with you as well, which is what you need. I’d be devastated if that hospital went.”

He has also taken to Twitter to thank everyone for all the messages of support, with have come from far and wide, he added: “I got a lovely message from Brendan Foster today - that’s so amazing, you get these messages and you think ‘wow people actually care’.”

Colin has had to cancel several of his upcoming fundraising events including the South Shields Parade on Saturday, the Gateshead 10k on Sunday, and the ‎Newcastle Frontrunners‎ to LGBT 5k Festival of Running 2019 on July 19.

However he hopes he will be fit enough to take on the Great North Run in September.

“I’ve got to go back in a few weeks and they will tell me what I am able to do exercise-wise,” Colin said. “My personal goal is that I would love to do the Great North Run, but we’ll just have to see - my wife has made me promise that I will be okay first before I do anything like that.”