In 2014, my lovely Dad passed away suddenly whilst out cycling. Despite roadside CPR,  he was pronounced dead on his arrival to the hospital. He was 50 years old, the life and soul of the party, with so many friends, colleagues and family who adored him. 

My dad was found to have a Type A aortic dissection. To this day, 50% of people survive this event, with 2000 people per year losing their lives in the UK. He had no prior health conditions and was as fit as a fiddle, gyming 4/5 times a week. 

I am running for the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust in the hopes that the money raised will prevent others from losing their lives early, and so that other families don’t have to go through what we did. 

The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust is the UK and Ireland charity uniting patients, families and the medical community in a shared goal of improving diagnosis, increasing survival and reducing disability due to aortic dissection. Early detection, genetic testing and Emergency Service/ Department knowledge can be the difference between life and death. 

As I said, my dad was big into fitness, just like me and my brother. This is why I have decided to complete a few plods to raise awareness and money. Those completed: Battersea Half Marathon (7th Jan 23), Brighton Half Marathon (26th Feb 23), Hampton Court Half Marathon (26th March 23), the Copenhagen Marathon (14th May 23), the Royal Parks Half Marathon (8th Oct 23). Those planned so far: London Landmarks Half (7th April 24), the London Marathon (21st April 24) and Hackney Half Marathon (19th May 24). I am likely to complete a few other runs along the way (I’ll keep you updated) and would be thrilled if you could support this cause. 

In loving memory of my wonderful dad Dino.