****Update*****

We did it!!  Over 12 long hard days, we managed to cycle to every Premiership football club starting and finishing at West Ham.

More details of our endeavours can be found at www.myspace.com/cyclingheartdoc

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My name is Keith Ross and I have been the Executive Head Chef at West Ham United for the last 6 years.

On the 16^th July last year, I suffered a heart attack whilst out with my family. I had no warning leading up to the attack and considered myself to be fit and healthy.

My wife Sandra called an  ambulance immediately and it arrived within a few minutes. I am in no doubt that the decision of the paramedics to take me immediately to the London Chest Hospital certainly saved my life.  Within 75 minutes I was in the operating theatres where I received an angiogram followed by an angioplasty and the doctors have now confirmed there is no lasting damage to my heart.

This was a very emotional experience and I am now determined to give something back to the hospital.  

My big plan is to cycle to every premiership club in the country in just 12 days, starting and finishing at West Ham United.  On my return, I will be hosting a Gala Dinner (on the 30th March at WHUFC) that will be attended by some of the great names from the clubs past including Phil Parkes, Alan Devonshire and Tony Gale.   I have the full support of the West Ham United Management Team and am working closely with the Fundraising Team at the Barts and the London Charity to make this a really successful and exciting event.

At each club, I will swop a West Ham pennant for an item that will later be auctioned at the Gala dinner.

I will be joined on the ride by my doctor Andrew Deaner who treated me at the London Chest.  Andrew is a keen cyclist and has been a great support as my training has begun.

The money raised will go towards Barts and the London Chest Hospital Heart Cells Appeal – a cause close to my heart as my 84 year old grandmother is also a patient at the London Chest Hospital, having had nine stents as well as major bypass surgery.

I have already received great support.  I would like to thank Alan Shorter at Shorter Rochford Cycles for the donation of bikes and kit and Newham Gym who have given me a free membership.