I never really knew my Father – he left me when I was 6. I remember him going to work - occasionally, but I remember him being at home more. I remember him spending a lot of time in hospital with high blood pressure. I remember the 6 April when he went back into hospital with his heart attack – yet I vividly remember 18 April, the day he left me and “went to Jesus” as my mother told me.

This was 1968 – 46 years ago, and despite huge advances in the treatment and understanding of heart disease, it remains the biggest killer of all.

This is why I am taking part in The Great North Run on September 7 on behalf of The British Heart Foundation. I would be so grateful if you could donate to my cause, whatever you can, to help try and beat this terrible disease.

Thank You

FOR YOU DAD X