On 9th February 2014, I will be running (yes, running!) in the Chichester Priory 10K Road Race to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

When it comes to running, I am a complete novice. However, having completed a Couch to 5K running program in October, I decided that I wanted to take on a bigger challenge, while at the same time doing something that will help others.

I have chosen to raise money for the Bristish Heart Foundation because of the amazing work that the have done over the last fifty years to help fund cardiovascular research that can, has and still does save, prolong and improve the lives of millions of people. 

In 1962, a surgeon by the name of Donald Ross performed the world's first human heart valve replacement. At the time, the survival rate of this operation was only 29% and it looked unlikely that further progress would be made. However, in 1963, The British Heart Foundation awarded Ross a grant of £4,500 to see what could be done to improve this. Five years later, the survival rate had increased to 85%.

But there is still work to be done, research that needs to be funded, and techniques that need to be improved. By running in the Chichester Priory 10K Road Race, I hope to raise £250, that's £25 for every kilometer, for The British Heart Foundation as a contribution to the amazing work that they do.

Please help to support this cause by donating what you can.

With thanks

Kirsten