Heart attack survivor kayaking 'for hedgehogs'

Jason Ing (right) will complete a charity kayak despite suffering a heart attack

A man who had a heart attack while training for a charity kayak is due to paddle down the Basingstoke Canal.

Jason Ing, from Camberley, Surrey had completed a 10-mile (16km) training session in June when he had a medical emergency.

He said: "We went for a practice and then went for a beer. I got home and put the kayak away and the next thing I knew I was on the floor."

After making a full recovery, he is due to kayak 32 miles (51.4km) over two days to raise money for injured wildlife charity Harper Asprey.

Jason initially thought he was suffering from indigestion following a practice on 1 June.

He spent three days in hospital and had to have a stent fitted.

"I'm officially waiting for a consultant to sign me off to say I can kayak again but I have never felt healthier - the change in lifestyle has made a big difference."

Jason his friend Lee Johnson, from Southampton, are raising money for wildlife charity Harper Asprey where his wife Claire works, and are halfway to their £2,000 target.

Claire said: "What happened to Jason was very inconvenient and there wasn't much I could do.

"He was in good care with the staff - but I needed him to DIY the next day!"

The duo will navigate 29 locks on the paddle, carrying their kayak over each one on foot.

Their journey starts on Saturday and will end at the Waterwitch pub in Odiham.

In a nod to Jason's heart attack, the trio are now using #heartattackforhedgehogs on social media.

He added: "Me and Lee aren't the fittest blokes - so we chose a sport where you can sit down, with cup holders too!"