This page asks me to tell you a story of mine, when really the story I'm telling is not my own.

The story is of one of my dearest friends and how her and her family have been affected by the loss of a family member, her cousin, to Cardiomyopathy and how they are working together to make sure that there is support out there for anyone that is affected by this disease. They have asked me to help them raise funds for The Cardiomyopathy Association. This charity is fighting for the people we love and the future generations to come, it will offer support and show that with the correct treatment and early diagnosis deaths can be prevented.

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle, there are four main types of this disease (Dilated, Hypertrophic, Restrictive and Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia) with different causes, signs, symptoms and outcomes.

In Cardiomyopathy in general, the heart becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue.

Unfortunately Cardiomyopathy cannot be cured BUT can be treated. These treatments can control symptoms, reduce complications, and stop the disease from getting worse. The disease affects 1 in 500 of the population, and is the most common cause of sudden death in under 35 year olds.

The charity we are raising for “The Cardiomyopathy Association” helps provide information and support for families affected by this disease. It is the only UK charity dedicated to providing support and information to families affected by Cardiomyopathy.

On the 3^rd of May myself, Patricia Hogan, Natalie Hogan and Twilkes will be taking part in Tough Mudder as a team. This involves a 12 mile obstacle course, however, it will not be hard ground but boggy muddy hills we will be running on/up. When I’m not fishing my trainer out of the mud I will have to climb walls, jump into pits of water, haul myself through fire and avoid getting electrocuted.

We as a Team will beast through the course together as just like The Cardiomyopathy Association –“support from each other will help you tackle any obstacle”. (Quote by Kay Brockwell)