Thank you for visiting this page.  For some reason I have decided to commit to a punishing training regime to run the 26.22 miles of the London Flora Marathon on 13 April 2008.  In return for the blisters, blood, sweat, tears and inevitable tantrums, I want a really worthy cause to benefit.  As both my grandfathers died of heart attacks and I myself was born with a heart defect, I have decided to run for the British Heart Foundation.  The BHF funds research, education and life-saving equipment and helps heart patients. Further details about their great work can be found on their website: www.bhf.org.uk

A few sad truths:

Heart disease is complex and unpredictable.  It can affect anyone of any age - in fact, every year 8 out of every 1,000 babies are born with some sort of heart defect. 

Living with heart disease is painful and exceptionally challenging for the sufferer (of which there are over 2.7 million in the UK) and their loved ones.

Heart disease affects women as well as men.  1 in 3 women who will die this week will be killed by heart and circulatory disease.

I should be very grateful indeed if you would dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Heart Foundation will receive your money faster.

If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you - please select the "gift aid" option when donating

I'm really grateful for your support, thank you.

Simon

(For those of you who know Ruth, she is also running the London Marathon in memory of her father and for Prostate Cancer - please also give generously: www.justgiving.com/ruthpotts)