In April 2018 whilst batting in a cricket match, I began to feel slightly unwell with some chest pain. I was a healthy 46-year-old man with no previous symptoms. I continued my innings as apart from a little discomfort & breathlessness I felt fine. However later in the evening I began to feel quite unwell and rushed to the hospital where I was diagnosed as having suffered a rather large heart attack which subsequently required me to undergo triple heart bypass surgery.

I am a very lucky man. The outcome of my story could have been very different. The heart attack could have been fatal. For this reason, I consider myself very fortunate for still being around for my family.

Thankfully I am now back to health however the whole experience and shocking reality of what happened to me has changed my outlook on life. Every day is a blessing for me. My health is paramount and I try and keep myself as well as I can for the sake of my family. 

Unfortunately just a few months after my heart attack I lost a close friend in similar circumstances. He had a cardiac arrest and died within minutes. This makes me even more grateful for my life.

This is why I wanted to mark my upcoming one year anniversary since my heart attack in a special way. Knowing importance of keeping fit following my heart attack and my absolute passion for sports, especially cricket, has spurred me into action and it is for this reason that I will be taking part in the Darwen Heritage 1/2 Marathon on the 7th of April 2019, raising funds for the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is a charity that works across the North West of England to develop and deliver a range of programmes and events designed to engage, excite and improve the health of individuals and communities through cricket with the aim to involve more people in the game. 

Further details about Lancashire Cricket Foundation can be obtained from their website https://foundation.lancashirecricket.co.uk/.

I am hoping you can help me in this cause and help me in raising funds for the foundation.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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