At the end of September a group of us will be running the Blenheim Palace Half Marathon in memory of our dad. On Monday 23rd April whilst exercising at the gym, our dad suffered a heart attack and passed away much too soon, aged just 57 years old.

We are hoping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, to help fund research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, as well as training and education of volunteers on what to do in an emergency situation. In the UK, 1 in 145 babies are born with Congenital Heart Disease and Coronary Heart Disease remains the number one killer in the UK and will affect one in four people throughout their lifetimes.

Today alone:

- 420 people will lose their lives to Cardio Vascular Disease and more than 115 of them will be under 75.

- 545 people will go to hospital because of a heart attack.

- 12 babies will be diagnosed with a heart defect.

- 180 people will die from a heart attack.

Losing dad has been absolutely shattering. He had been keeping us updated on the years, months, and days until his retirement, excited to help us with DIY projects, look after future grandchildren, and play regular rounds of golf. He was an incredible man who is missed every single day. 

We would be so grateful if you could make a donation to the British Heart Foundation and we sincerely thank you for your support.

Help us to beat heartbreak.

Thank you,

Rosalind, Isabelle and Eloise and all of the other amazing people who are running in his memory! 

Runners:

Isabelle Arif

Eloise Arif

Rosalind Burns (née Arif) 

Richard Burns

Adam Sofroniou

Katherine Copperthwaite 

Katie Merelie

Pete Osborn-Barker

Ray Sofroniou

Mike Sofroniou

Mandy Copperthwaite

Lauren Battrick