I am running my first half marathon on 13th October, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of my first husband Gavin. 

As most of you know Gavin died suddenly and unexpectedly 9.5 years ago from the heart condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. He was 38 years old at the time, seemingly super healthy and we were blissfully unaware that anything was wrong with him. Our children were 2.5 years old and 10 months old and from that moment life changed unrecognisable. 

Many years have passed, and the children and I have built a very happy life again, full of wonderful people, namely Alex my husband, a lovely addition to our family, and a wonderful step father to the children, and so many amazing friends and family who have supported us along the way. But you never forget, and I will forever be sad that Gavin isn’t getting to see his children grow up and that they will never know him. 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a hereditary heart condition, many people can live their whole live without knowing they have it, whilst others are not so lucky. The British Heart Foundation, support people and their families living with this and many other heart conditions, as well as funding research in these conditions. If you can spare a few pounds for a great cause I would be enormously grateful. 

I’m currently running 20 miles a week, and (mostly) loving it, and I’ve totally got the running bug, fingers crossed for race day! 

Thank you.  Charlie x