A GRATEFUL former patient has brought together his family and friends to raise more than £40,000 for Harefield Hospital.

The funds were raised during a two-day event at Easter, which included Marina and Melody Express playing an evening of Bollywood hits live from the UK and India and a day of 51 recitals of the Hindu timeless ode to devotion.

Naren Hathi organised the event after being treated at Harefield for severe endocarditis.

He said: “By the grace of God and the excellent care, support, and dedication of all staff at the Hospital, I am fortunate to have fully recovered.

“I cannot thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital enough for the care they showed to me as a patient and also to my family who visited regularly.”

Naren required a complex 14-hour heart operation at Harefield, one of the few places in the world that can do it.

The funds will go towards the hospital’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, which aims to provide equipment and well-being for staffA