Ten months ago Paul Lincoln was overweight and near to a heart attack.

But now the 43-year-old has lost more than three stone (20kg) to complete a 100km walk and give back to the hospital that saved his life.

Paul from Falcon Drive, Hartford was diagnosed last year with severe coronary artery disease which meant that he went from working at Papworth Hospital to becoming a patient.

The transplant coordinator underwent two operations to open his heart arteries and was told he had to lose weight.

After recovering from the operations Paul was determined that he was going to lose the weight he needed to.

He said: “I wanted to pay back to Papworth Hospital for all they did for me and to help to keep me motivated so I entered the 100km London to Cambridge.”

The dad of three began running on a daily basis to build up his speed and get ready for his ultimate challenge.

“I was doing this on my own and with my wife to try and get ready for the walk,” added Paul.

Last month Paul took on the march with two friends Phil Chandler and Joseph Miller.

“They had heard what I was going to do and wanted to join me for support.”

The trio set off on August 29 from Hackney Marshes at 9am and finished in Cambridge at 5.25pm with the support of Paul’s wife.

“Mel was there with us at every rest stop and followed us along in the car. She even had her walking gear with her so that if Phil and Joseph dropped out then she could step in.”

In total Paul managed to raise over £1700 for the hospital through sponsorship from family, friends and colleagues.