THE Big Push has almost hit its £30,000 target thanks to the support of Dudley South MP Mike Wood.

Over the last few months, the politician has contributed £660 to our campaign, which aims to buy 50 new wheelchairs for Russells Hall Hospital.

He said: “Every now and again opinion poll and market research firms ask to do research with MPs and offer to pay for their time.

“I always turn down the payments but invite them to make a voluntary donation to a charity or community organisation that helps people in Dudley South and since last summer I have been asking them to back the Big Push campaign."

The Conservative MP was keen to support the campaign as he spent three weeks in the Dudley hospital last year after falling gravely ill with sepsis.

So advanced was the life-threatening condition that he suffered septic shock which triggered pneumonia, kidney failure and a suspected aborted heart attack.

Doctors put him into a medically-induced coma and on life support, dialysis and a ventilator - and at one point he says his parents were told he had just a 10 per cent chance of survival.

But he managed to beat the odds and has made a miraculous recovery.

He said: "This time last year I was on life support at Russells Hall and last autumn I spent the day volunteering again at the hospital.

"I know as a patient and as a volunteer how much of a difference these new wheelchairs can make.”

Karen Phillips, fundraising manager for the Dudley Group NHS Charity, said: “We are so grateful to Mike Wood MP for making these donations to support The Big Push over the past six months.

"It is such a generous gesture and we were delighted to see that the donations added up to over £600 and we could recognise his kindness on one of our sponsors stickers.”

The Big Push total now stands at £29,379 and you can help us cross the finish line by calling into our offices at St John’s House, Stourbridge, and giving cash or cheques - made payable to Dudley Group NHS Charity/Wheelchairs.

You can also donate by texting NEWS66 and an amount of £2, £5 or £10 to 70070 or online via www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/dghc/wheelchairs.

Online donations made by UK taxpayers can be boosted by 25 per cent - at no extra cost - by selecting the GiftAid option.