Heart and circulatory diseases have touched my life in many different ways and if it wasn't for the amazing research and care that my loved ones have received, my loved ones would not be here today.

I am incredibly impressed with the technology, monitoring and treatment available through the NHS in this country and I feel that I have to give back and play a part in helping raise more money to go towards continuing such life changing work.

During my pregnancy, the health team responsible for my care, detected a genetic defect in my sons heart, which meant that I was regularly and closely monitored, to ensure that my son’s heart was beating normally and that he had great circulation for him to grow and thrive. My son was born healthy, with no major complications and is a happy boy who can lead a normal life, with no treatment or further monitoring.

The monitoring throughout my pregnancy detected excellent oxygen levels for us both and it was reassuring to know that we were well looked after during and after my pregnancy. It was compulsory to receive this care, due to heart and circulatory defects in the family. As a first time Mum, I was super anxious about the health of my baby, but the extra scans and blood tests was reassuring. I am so grateful for the care that we have received.

Recently, my partner has had part of his aorta replaced. He is so brave and is recovering well from his open heart surgery. 

His treatment has saved his life!

It was a scary time for all, but we knew that he was getting the best care from an amazing team of top surgeons, doctors and nurses at an excellent hospital. 

They saved his life!

For life changing work to continue ‘The British Heart Foundation’ need more money.

My partners life changing surgery was a wake up call for me to do something to help raise money.

I hate running, even more so because I have a dodgy hip from giving birth last year, I’m not as fit as I used to be and even though I enjoy working out, I really dislike running. 

I have decided to challenge myself to run my very first charity run in honour of my Son, my partner and all of my loved ones who have been affected by heart and circulatory disease or defects. There is no backing out of this one, as I’ve signed up to run the ‘Royal Parks Half Marathon’ on the 13th October 2019. This run is 13.1 miles and I have pledged to raise £1,300. This is my way of saying thank you to ‘The British Heart Foundation’ for saving lives.

I have begun my training and I am very focused on working towards getting fit for my run in order to take part and raise money. I’m also thinking of other creative ways to raise money but don’t worry, I will not back out of the actual running in the ‘Royal Parks Half Marathon’.

I can do this?...I CAN DO THIS! (*gulp )

Please sponsor me with whatever you are able to afford to help raise money for ‘The British Heart Foundation’.

Every penny will help ‘The British Heart Foundation’ get closer to the next life changing breakthrough.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for your support.

Alicia Wilkins

Thanks for visiting my page. I'm raising money for the British Heart Foundation's research and I'd be so grateful for your support. The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early career scientist, but every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target. Thanks!