A BOXING promoter is using one of his upcoming shows to help an Oswestry man who suffered serious heart problems days after receiving his Covid jab.

Roddy Doran, a former world-title challenger in his own boxing career, is set to host a show at the Lion Quays in Weston Rhyn, which will feature a fundraising raffle for Simon Walker.

Simon, 42, was taken to hospital days after receiving his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and was later told a blood clot had been found in his heart.

His heart is currently operating at 42 per cent, when it should be between 55 per cent and 70 per cent, meaning Simon has had to take a back seat in the family company, J&I Carpets.

He said: “I had my first vaccination on Bank Holiday Sunday in May and by Tuesday evening, I was very ill.

“I rang my GP and he said I had the side effects of the vaccination. By Friday, I couldn’t walk or breathe, my chest was so tight.

“I went to Accident and Emergency and they told me I had a fast heart rate, about 188.

“They found I had a large blood clot inside my heart. I spent 17 days in hospital not understanding what was going on.

“If the clot moved it could have killed me or given me a stroke.

“I had scans and the clot left me with a lot of damage to my heart. It was only working at 20 per cent. It’s up to 42 per cent now.

“The large clot has gone, but I have clotting around the wall of my heart.”

Several doctors suggested the blood clot was likely vaccine-induced, but the father-of-three insists the misfortune has not made him anti-vaccine.

“It has changed my life. I was fit and active, teaching kids’ football,” he said.

“I have a carpet and flooring business, but I’m not allowed to lift anything so my role has changed.

“I do measuring and estimating now. It has been tough.

“My wife had to take three months off work to look after me and the kids – but I’m not anti-vaccine.

“Covid-19 is awful and I think people should be vaccinated. I was just very, very unlucky.”

The fundraising raffle will take place at Roddy’s show at the Lion Quays resort on Saturday, October 30.

Roddy and Simon have been friends for five years, after Simon boxed at one of Roddy’s shows.

Simon added: “My brother lost twin girls and I needed a focus and wanted to raise awareness.

“I had always loved boxing and Roddy was amazing. I was having a rough time and he gave me a focus.

“I needed a challenge and found boxing to be a great thrill. The only problem is, I don’t like getting punched.”