I'm taking part in the 2012 British Heart Foundation London - Brighton bike ride in memory of my son Alfie, who died in October 2011.

Alfie was born with a rare and serious congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndome (HLHS), where one of the main chambers of his heart (the left ventricle) failed to develop. In effect he had only half a functioning heart.

Since the early 1980s it has been possible to surgically reconstruct the hearts of babies born with HLHS so that the single ventricle can be made to do the work of a healthy heart. This is achieved through three major open heart surgeries - the Norwood, Glenn and Fontan procedures. The first of these normally has to take place within a few days of birth.

Unfortunately Alfie ran into further complications within a few hours of his birth and he was never well enough to have his first operation. Despite the best efforts of the fantastic staff in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton, Alfie died at one week old. 

I've chosen to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, who are funding research into possible environmental and genetic causes of Congenital Heart Disease, as well as supporting healthcare professionals who provide life-long care for CHD patients.

This site gives a good description of the 54-mile route, including what look like some truly horrible hills.

 

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