In June 2025, my world stopped for a moment. My dad suffered a heart attack. One minute everything was normal, and the next we were faced with the reality that we could lose him. It’s hard to explain how quickly life can change, but in that moment nothing else mattered. I remember thinking how fragile everything felt, and how something so devastating could happen in the blink of an eye.

Thanks to the incredible paramedics, doctors, nurses and surgeons, my dad survived. But just a few weeks later, he had to go in for a major operation (a double bypass). A 6-hour surgery that felt like the longest day of our lives. I was at my sister’s house and we spend most of the day sitting in silence, just in each other’s presence, unable to really say anything. There was nothing we could do but wait, and that feeling of not knowing was one of the hardest parts.

When I decided to go back home, getting out of my car my mum opened the front door in tears and gave me a thumbs up to show the surgery had been successful (She knew I would have panicked if she was crying, thinking the worst), I can’t even describe the wave of emotion that hit me. My heart dropped and then lifted all at once. I just cried with pure relief. It’s such a strange feeling knowing everything is completely out of your control, and all you can do is hope.

One think my dad said during it all has never left me. As he was being rushed to hospital, he told himself “I’m not ready to go. I’m not ready to say goodbye.” That moment has stayed with me ever since. It broke my heart, but it also reminded me just how precious life is and how important it is to never take the people we love for granted, or our time.

Since then, my dad has been recovering well. He now carries a large scar across his chest, but he wears it with pride. To him, it’s a second chance at life, and as a family we feel incredibly lucky that he’s still here. Looking back it almost feels like we went through a stage of grief without actually losing him.

So, why the London to Brighton Bike Ride? My dad has always loved cycling (even if his tyres don’t always cooperate), and I wanted to do something that connects to him and something he enjoys. It felt like the most fitting challenge, given everything he’s been through and something we can now train together for whilst he rebuilds his strength.

This whole experience opened my eyes to how many people are affected by heart conditions. Sitting in hospital and seeing people of all ages going through similar situations was heartbreaking, but it also made me realise how important the work of the British Heart Foundation is. They are helping to fund research, improve treatments and ultimately save lives.

I’ve always wanted to do something for charity, but I never felt truly connected to a cause until now. This is personal.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, I would be so grateful. Every contribution helps support life-saving research and brings hope to families who might be facing their own terrifying moments.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting such a important cause.