On the 16th July 2017 my dad and I will be taking part in the 1.4 mile open water Bournemouth pier to pier swim for a charity that is very close to our hearts, The British Heart Foundation. 

In July 2016 my girlfriend Alice had an internal defibrillator (Code named Dora) fitted after being diagnosed with the rare genetic heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) which causes progressive heart failure and as a result dangerous heart rhythms which left undiagnosed could lead to sudden cardiac arrest. 

I am so immensely proud of her, as she has and continues to take this all in her stride with her usual positive outlook and infectious sense of humour, all this whilst studying to become a nurse!

While this condition remains as yet incurable, the vital support and research funding from the British Heart Foundation continues to push for medical advances in this area.

In 2009 and 2010 my Mum and my Dad’s wife Alison has also been affected with her own set of heart issues, undergoing heart surgery, after suffering heart arrhythmia. After many years of having an active lifestyle, she suddenly found any physical activity like walking and cycling, now beyond her.

Thankfully, after two heart operations she is now physically fitter than she has ever been, due to the first class care throughout her treatment.

It has been a scary ride for us both, but no more than the day we signed up for a swim where a few months ago could barely swim front crawl for 25 metres!