I am raising funds for the charity Heartstart-Malvern www.heartstartmalvern.org.uk which aims to improve survival rates from cardiac arrest. I am a trustee and very active volunteer trainer, and I am asking for support from friends and colleagues; I greatly hope you will read to the end.

The purpose of HeartstartMalvern is, firstly, to raise money to install and maintain public access defibrillators in and around Malvern (target: 1 defibrillator per 500 metres) and, secondly, to train local people to identify cardiac arrest and where appropriate administer CPR and apply defibrillation, until emergency/paramedic services arrive. We train people free of charge in schools, community centres and workplaces, and our target is to achieve training for 20% of the Malvern population.

According to research (British Heart Foundation and the NHS, 2015), UK survival rates from cardiac arrest in the community are 8%. With appropriate defibrillator use this could be raised to be closer to 50% .

Since being set up three years ago, HeartstartMalvern has worked hard to raise funds and is roughly half way to meeting its targets. We expect to save lives and continue to do so for many years to come.

As a charity, HeartstartMalvern – which is entirely volunteer run – needs money to fund equipment and training resources; as a result of COVID-19, our income has stopped but the cost of upkeep for medical equipment continues.

Please will you sponsor my challenge: this month, I will run 6k each day for 6 days and on the 7th day will cycle 60km.

In the current covid financial climate I appreciate there are many difficulties. An alternative and really valuable support would be to run a similar event (6 days of an hours meditation, walking, or another challenge) – please contact me. Any gift – time or money - is hugely welcome. One way or other, I am hoping you will generously help HeartstartMalvern. Don’t forget to tick gift aid but only if you pay UK income tax.