Back in 1986, aged 7 I had a hole-in-the-heart operation at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The hole in my heart had only become apparent when I had a medical in preparation for starting school. Here I am, now 41, celebrating a life of full health. 

Coincidentally, the Great North Run in my home town also turned 40 last year, when I did, so it seemed an appropriate year to do my first GNR. The pandemic put pay to that, so the run and the charity place is rolled over to 2021.

I realised I had maybe been remiss in not recognising the health I have been given through my heart operation having never been particularly fit or sporty. So I made it my goal over the past few years to recognise the life I have been given through the wonderful work of the surgeon, doctors and nurses at the Freeman and of course, the British Heart Foundation. I have tried to do this by losing weight, committing to a regular gym schedule and taking up running. 

This decision to become fitter was also based on the fact that at that time my brother, who is fit and healthy, always at the gym and only two years my senior, had a minor heart attack, and shows that heart problems can affect anyone.

I would also like to do the run to respect and in memory of my mum’s dad, Emerson Lowes, who died of a heart attack in 1982, when we were very young, and meant my mum lost her dad (and mum) in her twenties. Emerson was a very well-respected vet, veterinary advisor to the government and even worked with the actual James Herriot!  My brother was given his name as his middle name. 

I'm raising money for the British Heart Foundation's research and I'd be so grateful for your support. The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early career scientist, but every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target. Thanks!