One year ago, my husband Simon's life was saved by the RNLI. 

But on land, not at sea. 

Simon is a crew member of the North Berwick Lifeboat. A routine RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) medical examination in June 2019, carried out by the RNLI honorary doctor at Lauderdale Practice in Dunbar, uncovered a heart murmur. At the end of September, Simon was referred for an echocardiogram at East Lothian Community Hospital. He was transferred immediately from there to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in an ambulance. On 1 October he had major open heart surgery to save his life. 

The ultrasound scan found that Simon had a congenital heart condition. He had inherited a bicuspid aortic valve from his father. Over a period of time blood had regurgitated back to his heart and caused an aortic aneurysm measuring over 8cm in diameter. The aneurysm was close to rupturing, which as the consultant put it, would be 'game over'. We were completely blindsided, as Simon was unaware of his critical condition and had not experienced any real symptoms that would suggest his life was at risk. We had rowed a half marathon along the Clyde in a St Ayles skiff the weekend before! 

If it weren't for the RNLI medical examination, it is unlikely Simon would be alive today.  He is recovering well and is back sailing (and a bit of rowing too) and has returned this week to the Lifeboat where he is continuing his training as helm. It's his way of giving back and more. 

I'd like to give back in my own way and raise awareness for the RNLI as well as marking this one year moment of recovery for Simon. So I am raising money for the RNLI by running (I love rowing, not running) 100k (10 x 5k and 5 x 10k) and a half marathon, all in October.

Fundraising for the RNLI can help them to keep supporting, educating and protecting their crew so they can continue saving lives at sea.

More on the RNLI:

More than ever the RNLI need help. Their fundraising events are all cancelled this year and their income is falling. As a charity, they depend on our donations so that they can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe. RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place. 

Thank you for your donation!