HEART-swap patient Paul Flynn was given a real kick-start to a new future when he underwent his life-saving operation nine years ago this month.

Now the football fanatic is set to take a break from regular fixtures for a special away trip.

For Paul is celebrating his girlfriend Tracey's university degree success by taking her on an American touring holiday -- visiting places such as Florida, Chicago and New York.

Superfit Paul, aged 26, plays football twice each weekend -- on Saturday for a local pub team and on Sunday for Tesco, Chorley -- and also keeps himself in tip-top condition during the week with heavy duty work in his job as a builder.

Before his transplant Paul had always been football mad as a youngster who had never suffered a day's serious illness. But all that came to an abrupt end when he contacted a virus which attacked his heart muscles.

Paul was placed on the waiting list and in October 1991 a suitable donor organ became available and he became the hospital's 128th transplant patient.

Prior to that his health had rapidly deteriorated and doctors told him that surgery was his last hope.

Paul's proud mum Ann Flynn said: "He's fantastic, unbelievable. He's never still, seeing what he's been through all these years. He loves life."

Ann Stuart is manager of Wythenshawe's New Heart-New Start Appeal which is aiming to raise the final £250,000 of its £1.9 million Year 2000 Appeal to build a dedicated 16-bed transplant ward as an integral part of the existing transplant centre at the hospital.

She said: "Paul is one of a growing number of men and women throughout the region whose renewed zest for life demonstrates the benefits of transplantation in human terms."

Anyone wishing to make donations should call Ann Stuart on (0161) 945 2166.