8:50am, June 18^th, 2019 changed my life forever. 

I suffered a heart attack starting a seven month-long rollercoaster journey including three emergency call outs, two procedures to insert eight cardiac stents (affectionately known as 008), several episodes of angina and a transient bacteraemia, hospitalising me for six days. 

Just a few days prior to my heart attack, I cycled the beautiful canal banks along the Cheshire Ring, including 44 miles in a single day on rough terrain in inclement weather. Within days I was in the resus department in Pinderfields Accident & Emergency. During the following months, I experienced various emotions and asked myself numerous questions. Will I survive? How long do I have left? What effect will it have on my family? Will I be able to get back to normal life again...? and importantly will I be able to get back on the BIKE again? 

Spoiler alert, I’m back on the saddle!

But who would guide me through this recovery process, look after me medically and physically, and answer my questions, worries and concerns? The answer…

The NHS Mid Yorkshire Cardiac Rehab team!

The MY Cardiac Rehab team consists of cardiac nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists and admin staff.  The whole team guided me and my family through the roller coaster ride ahead. Their amazing hard work, team approach, compassionate and caring attitude enabled me to get back to full physical and mental health, and back in the saddle. 

I can’t thank the MY Cardiac Rehab team enough. I am now in a position to contemplate an 80-mile bike ride to mark the journey I have undertaken. So exactly 12 months since this journey began, I am undertaking a cycling challenge. My original plan was to complete the 80-mile Morecambe Bay cycleway, but due to the pandemic I had to be creative. 

The Tour de Cul de Sac bike challenge was born. An 80-mile bike ride up and down the street, approximately 571 laps in three days! The goal of the challenge is to raise funds for the MY Cardiac Rehab unit to thank them, so they can continue their incredible support of future cardiac patients on their individual paths to recovery.

Thank you for any donation you can give. Every penny will benefit cardiac patients and is very much appreciated.