THE Rotary club has awarded its highest honour to a tireless fundraiser who masterminded an appeal to buy a hospital heart scanner.

Graham Appleton, children’s services fundraising co-ordinator at Colchester General Hospital, was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship award by Colchester Trinity Rotary Club.

The former insurance broker has been a volunteer at the hospital since retiring from his career in financial services six years ago.

His finest hour came in January this year, when the paediatrics department took delivery of a heart scanner as a direct result of the £60,000 charity drive he launched in May 2009.

The new equipment has cut out delays, as it means doctors no longer have to borrow scanners from elsewhere in the hospital.

Mr Appleton set up the appeal after a newly-appointed consultant paediatrician told him how much babies and children would benefit.

He gave talks to groups and schools which he thought he could persuade to donate. He became such a familiar sight at the hospital, many staff believed he was a paid employee.

Trinity Rotary Club president Mike Poole said Mr Appleton deserved recognition for his dedication, calling him the “ultimate unsung hero”. The club praised his “phenomenal” communication skills and powers of persuasion, noting how hospital staff had remarked on his hard work and commitment.

The Children’s Heart Scanner Appeal is not Mr Appleton’s only fundraising success, as he previously raised £32,100 as chief fundraiser for the Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends.

The cash went to buy 15 items of equipment for seriously-ill children, including incubators and oxygen saturation monitors.

Paul Harris fellowships are named after the American founder of the worldwide Rotary movement.