My name is Brian Simpson. My friend and fellow border collie owner Fran Middleton had a heart transplant at Papworth in October 2018. He is only 50years old and was one of the first to have a transplant through the new DCD method, pioneered by Papworth, which speeds up  the transplant process thereby enabling more patients to have a transplant. Fran is recovering well; back at work, riding his bike, is in great shape and getting stronger by the week. And now he wants to ride London to Paris and I have agreed to ride it with him.

I  didn't realise heart transplants are only partially funded by the NHS with the rest funded through charitable donations and fund raising. The costs are high - the box that transports the donor organ costs around £40,000 and can only be used once; the transplant operation costs around £80,000 and the pre and post op care around £100,000.

Having witnessed first hand Fran's journey from pre transplant difficulties to post transplant transformation, I can only urge you to donate generously and help me raise funds to enable more people like Fran to benefit  from organ transplants at Royal Papworth Hospital. Thankyou.

Royal Papworth Hospital has always ensured that it puts patients and their families at the heart of everything it does. The Charity is committed to supporting patients and their carers and seeks to enhance the support it provides to the Hospital. Charitable funds have enabled the Hospital to provide care beyond that of NHS funding alone, enhancing the Hospital’s status as the UK’s leading provider of specialist cardiothoracic care and the country’s main heart and lung transplant centre.