Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Why am I raising money for the British Heart Foundation?

Put quite simply, if it was not for the brilliant, pioneering research that the BHF carry out, I would not be alive today and I would not have my 3 gorgeous children. (Ella Rose - 7 years, Lily Grace - 5 years & Oliver James - 4 years).

Myself, and thousands of others like me, owe the BHF our lives and this is my small way of saying ‘thank you’ and helping to ensure that their research continues to prevent further deaths in the future and allow more people with heart conditions to live normal lives.

In February 2005, in the middle of teaching a lesson, I suffered a TIA or minor stroke. Whilst I was in hospital being treated for the TIA, tests revealed that I had a mitral valve prolapse (where one or both of the mitral valve flaps in the heart don't close tightly - allowing blood to leak from one chamber to another) and that I would require open heart surgery within 18 months – I was 26 years old. I soon learnt that the condition was congenital and was the reason why I felt so tired and struggled so much during exercise. 

In August 2006, aged 28, I underwent heart surgery to repair the damaged valve. I opted for a temporary repair of the valve (knowing it may not be a total success) as the more permanent solution – a valve replacement - would decrease my chances of successfully carrying children whilst I was on medication.  The operation was initially a success. Ten months later, I got married to David and in the following 5 years after my surgery, we went on to have 3 children.

It has now been 10 years since my original surgery, my heart has deteriorated and I will need to have surgery again, this time to replace the valve, but the doctors are monitoring me carefully and it is not yet known when this surgery will be. I have also developed atrial fibrillation leaving me with irregular heartbeats and I take daily medication to control this. I am still left with a noticeable scar, but I am proud of it – the scar reminds me of the opportunity I had to have children and a chance of a normal life.

Four years after my surgery, in December 2010, my dad, Ed, had his valve repaired using keyhole surgery. His surgery has been a success – he no longer has a mitral valve prolapse but he too has developed atrial fibrillation. 

The British Heart Foundation carry out research to help people like my Dad and me, every day.

Why did I apply to compete in the London Marathon?

As a child, I hated sport and running at school sports’ days was something which gave me nightmares! By the time I was in my early twenties, my relationship with sport and exercise was definitely over! Following my surgery, I still did not enjoy team sports, but I did join my local YMCA gym and I enjoyed working out – where my only competitor was myself! I used the treadmill regularly but preferred to walk at an incline rather than run – I was convinced I could not run!

I enjoy watching all types of sports on the TV and especially the London Marathon. I have always dreamed of being part of it, but being unable to run, I knew it was something I would never achieve.

However this began to change in April this year. Inspired by close friends who all ran and had lots of medals, I decided that I was going to learn how to run and was going to get my own medal! So I booked my first race, downloaded a training programme and trained every day for an hour before work for eight weeks. At the start of May I could not even run to the end of my road without getting out of breath. So when I crossed the finish line of my first race, Race for Life, in 34 minutes and 10 seconds, I could not believe I had done it. I had my medal –my first medal! Although it was a challenge, I wanted to prove to myself that even with a heart condition I could do it and I did! I then got the bug for running and have continued training and entering races ever since.

At the time of applying for my first race, one of my close friends had just completed the London Marathon, and the ballot for entering the 2016 event had just opened. On a whim, I had completed the application and stated that as well as obtaining a ballot place, I would also be interested in obtaining a charity place for the BFH, as it was a charity which was so close to mine and my family’s heart! As much I had always wanted to be part of the event, I never dreamt that my application would be successful. So, in August 2015 when I was informed by the BFH that I was one of the lucky 270 runners who had been selected to run for them, I was ecstatic and absolutely petrified at the same time!

Every part of this journey will be a huge challenge for me: mentally, emotionally and physically. Not only do I have 2 heart conditions but I work long hours as an Assistant Headteacher in a local primary school and have 3 young children.

However, knowing that you are supporting me, via your generous donations and well wishes, keeps me going. I can’t promise it will be pretty or quick (if I do it within 6 hours I will be happy!), but I can promise that I will give my training and the race itself 100% and that I will get my medal!

If you wish to donate via your mobile phone text NWIS78 £(your amount) to 70070.

With your support, I am going to achieve a childhood dream and more people with heart conditions will be saved. I can’t thank you enough.

Nicola x

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