FRIENDS and family of a Dorchester man, who defied doctors to recover from four heart attacks, are giving a little back today.

Ray Chaldecott, 74, has battled back to health after 10 months in hospital and will be looking on as friends and family hold a pub sports marathon to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and Westhaven Hospital.

Ray had his leg amputated last year as a result of blood poisoning and doctors believe the post-traumatic stress triggered the heart attacks.

He spent around three months in Dorset County Hospital and a further seven at Westhaven in Weymouth.

Son Steve, 41, said: “They didn’t give him much hope and he was in intensive care for weeks. The doctor called him ‘Mr Incredible’ because he survived.”

Ray added: “I’m lucky to be alive and it’s nice to be able to give something back.

“When they said they were going to do something for me I told them to do it for the BHF and Westhaven because of what they’ve done for me.”

Ray has played in a darts league for the last 40 years and has also offered his services for pool when required.

Steve, his son Callum, 10, and another of Ray’s grandsons David Stone, 13, will be joined by nine other friends and former members of Ray’s darts team at the Sydney Arms as they play darts and pool from 11am to 11pm today.

There will also be a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses.