In the summer of 2014, Andy Furniss and his wife Antonia started to bring together a team to run this year’s Hampton Court Half Marathon. 

The plan was to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, a charity close to their hearts.  Both Andy and Antonia lost their fathers to coronary heart disease.  On 5 July 1985, Sean Moran died aged just 36.  Nigel Furniss died on 18 April 1993, aged just 52.  Both were dearly loved by the young families they left behind.

In the midst of making these and other plans, Andy himself was taken away.  On the morning of 21 August 2014, Andy died without warning from coronary heart failure.  He did not even know he had a heart condition, let alone one which was capable of taking him away so quickly.  He was just 43 and fit as a fiddle.  

Andy left behind a devoted - now devastated - wife, many loving family members and many good friends.  We all miss him dearly.  Nobody should have to go through the pain of losing a loved one if it can be prevented with better awareness, research and treatment.

The British Heart Foundation is at the forefront of the battle against coronary heart disease.  It is quite some battle - coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer.  The Foundation relies solely upon charitable donations to continue the fight. 

In order to raise some money for this worthy charity, and to honour the memories of Nigel, Sean, and now Andy, there are now over 40 friends and family running this year.  Although some are seasoned runners, many are first timers.  Every member of the team is going to give it their all.  If the money they raise can help to save even just one life, it may help to ease the pain of this most recent and tragic loss of life.  

May the souls of Andy, Sean and Nigel continue to rest in peace.  We will always love them and they will never be forgotten.