This year to mark my 70th birthday I'm taking on a marathon of challenges to highlight the impact my valve disease treatment has had and to raise money for Heart Valve Voice.

Each month throughout the year I'll test myself to a different challenge from abseiling down football stadiums, rope walking across canyons, the Manchester 10k and more. The Marinathon will start with a 180-mile virtual walk from my home in Sale to Brompton Hospital in London where I was treated.

I'll be raising money for Heart Valve Voice, which has been an incredible support throughout my valve disease journey. For every £1000 I raise, they will educate 100,000 over 65s on the signs and symptoms of heart valve disease. So please support my mission and help save lives.

Heart Valve Voice is the UK’s dedicated heart valve disease charity. They work with patients and clinicians to help increase the awareness of heart valve disease in the UK and improve diagnosis and treatment. Heart valve disease affects over 1.5 million people over the age of 65 in the UK and while there have been many advancements in the treatment of this disease the unfortunate fact is that far too many people are not being diagnosed and treated early enough. Heart Valve Voice's aim is to ensure that more of the population is aware of the importance of having