HE'S UNDERGONE major heart surgery - but that won't stop Hampshire man Tony Hales from pounding the streets of New York for charity.

The 58-year-old is taking part in the city's world-famous 26-mile marathon to raise cash for the Southampton Samaritans - a cause dear to his own heart.

Only five years ago, Tony, father-of-two grown up sons, underwent a serious triple heart bypass.

The shock of it triggered alarm bells in his head and he realised something had to be done.

The semi-retired software engineer, who lives with his wife, Kathleen, in New Road, Swanmore, said: "The operation made me appreciate that there's much more to life than work and I look on this bit of life as an extra bonus because I feel like I should be gone."

After giving his unhealthy lifestyle an overhaul, Tony shed two stone and has been gaining strength ever since he went under the knife. Then he decided to push himself even further.

He said: "I decided this year that I would try and get fit and in a moment's madness I put my name down for the New York marathon. I was surprised and shocked when I got a place.

"I have been training ever since and have been doing lots and lots of running around Swanmore."

Doctors have monitored Tony's training to ensure he doesn't strain himself.

He is determined to keep his weight down and stay healthy - as well as clock up a whopping £5,000 in Sunday's race for the Southampton Samaritans of which he has been a member for nine years.

He said: "Heart surgery does shock you into not wanting it again and keeping fit seems a small price to pay. It's the first time that I've been under 13 stone in more than 30 years.

He added: "Most of my friends and family think I'm nuts but I think they're quite proud that I've stuck at it."