A COURAGEOUS Bolton father has come out fighting after hearing the words he dreaded most.

When Peter Rich was told he had leukaemia and was to be admitted to Christie Hospital his initial thought was "that's it - I am dead".

Since then, however, the popular bingo hall manager has battled back, determined to beat the illness.

Not only that, but he aims to dispel the misconceptions about Christie Hospital - even spearheading a fundraising campaign from his hospital bed!

Peter, aged 47, who is in the isolation ward, said: "When people hear the words Christie Hospital everyone thinks of death.

"But it is a fantastic place and the people who work here do a brilliant job.

"People really do worry about going to Christie's and when I was told that is where I would be I thought that's it - I am dead. "I had never been in hospital before and had gone to the doctor when I started feeling tired and run down. When I was told I had leukaemia I felt terrible.

"Now I look around me and I feel as though I am not really ill. In fact I look better now than I did before I came in."

Peter who lives in Bolton, has worked as a manager at Preston's Buckingham Bingo Club for the past 10 years, after working in Bolton for eight years.

While in hospital he has received up to 100 cards from customers, and to answer the great many queries from bingo regulars, has even had a photograph taken of him and his wife, Karin, at the hospital.

The picture, taken on a timer switch by Karin, is designed to show Peter's many friends that he is in Christie Hospital, but is looking well. Although undergoing gruelling chemotherapy treatment, Peter has been working from his bed, via his direct telephone line and has even managed to complete all the club's promotions for the next few weeks.

His spell in Christie Hospital has also sparked a fundraising campaign in the club which raised almost £4,000. Peter added: "The club raised the money during just one week of special events. It is fantastic."

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