On Friday 18 January 2019 I received the kind of news that everyone dreads, but can’t quite imagine until it happens – that my amazing dad had died completely out of the blue. It wasn’t until several days later that we found out the cause – coronary atherosclerosis followed by acute coronary artery thrombosis (or in layman’s terms, undiagnosed coronary artery disease leading to a heart attack).

Heart and circulatory diseases kill 1 in 4 people in the UK, making them the leading cause of death for both men and women. The British Heart Foundation’s research has helped to halve this number but hundreds of people like my dad still lose their lives every day, and many thousands more are affected either by their own heart conditions or those of their loved ones. The BHF’s vision is for a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases and in the meantime they provide a wealth of information and support to those whose lives can still be saved.

It may be a few months later than expected, but I will be running the London Marathon on Sunday 4 October 2020 in memory of my dad and to raise money and awareness for the BHF and the amazing work they do. I would be so grateful for your donations and support – even a small amount can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.

Daddy – I love you so much and I miss you every day. This is all for you xxx