A grandfather and former boxing champion from Stockport has battled pneumonia, open heart surgery and a broken leg in the last six months.
And every time he left the hospital, he made sure his first stop was a trip to his local pub. Gareth Hopcyn, 73, has been visiting the Grey Horse pub in Reddish for over 50 years - which he describes as his local community.
Originally from Wales, the former featherweight boxing champion moved to Manchester at the age of 21. Gareth, who lives in Heaton Moor, had to undergo open heart surgery last September to correct a leaking valve.
As soon as he was discharged, the dad of two made his way back to the pub for his daily tipple of two pints of bitter. READ MORE : Stranger leaves car on family's driveway near Manchester Airport for DAYS The former environmental health officer said he had to be driven to the pub by his wife, Stella, 66, because he was in recovery.
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