AN INSPIRATIONAL heart transplant patient was cheered on as she brought the Queen's Baton to the hospital which saved her life.

Suzanne Swinson, from Bearsden, was chosen to carry the baton through the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, in Clydebank, on the latest leg of the Queen's Baton Rally.

As the 61-year-old made her way to the entrance of the hospital, she was greeted by a guard of honour made up of 45 fellow heart transplant patients at the hospital.

Staff and well wishers also congregated inside in support of Suzanne.

Celebrations continued as a group of young street dancers put on an exciting performance.

Suzanne said: "It's overwhelming, I didn't expect anything as big as this.

"It has been truly wonderful. I just couldn't believe it, all the hospital turned out and they were clapping and cheering.

"Everyone from youngsters to people my age, it was just wonderful to see everybody out."

In 2011, Suzanne was admitted to the hospital in need of a new heart.

She says she would not have been here today if it wasn't for the work of the staff at the hospital.

She said: "I spent two months here and was on a balloon pump for five weeks which was keeping me alive.

"I then got the offer of a heart and after three weeks I was home.

"I am just so proud to be able to represent the Golden Jubilee, it is the most wonderful hospital and the staffs are amazing."

Since her operation, Suzanne has enjoyed a new lease on life and has taken up a number of sports including skiing and curling.

At the most recent, Winter Transplant Games she picked up five medals, including one gold, a bronze and three silvers.

James Galloway, from Coalburn, Lanarkshire, was part of the guard of honour which welcomed Suzanne to the hospital.

James had his heart operation in September 2013.

He said Suzanne helped him through his recovery and urged other transplant patients to get active.

He said: "I've met her couple of times before and she is quite a remarkable lady.

"She has been helpful because we have gone to couple of meetings together, and she tries to encourage us to get involved in the transplant games as well."

Georgina Burt, of Laurieston, was the hospital's first transplant patient, six years ago.

She said: "It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I'd never thought so many would turn up."

Chairman of Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Jeane Freeman said it meant a lot to have a former transplant patient to carry to the Queen's Baton.

She said: "The special part for us was to have all our transplant patients here and to have the baton carried by one of our transplant patients, it means a lot.

"It makes you proud and made me proud about what we do at this hospital"

Brian Keeley, from Dumbarton, who had his operation in November 2013 said he was thrilled to be asked to be part of the guard of honour.

"It was nice to get an invite to be part of the guard of honour.

"I never imagined so many people would turn up, I just thought it would be a few patients."