The British Heart Foundation can only continue to keep funding life changing research with support from people like you. Every donation you make help funds scientific breakthroughs that can save and improve the lives of millions suffering from heart and circulatory diseases.The 2023 TCS London Marathon is set to be an event like any other. Thank you for being a part of this unforgettable journey with Team BHF.

My name is Luke and I am raising money to ensure the BHF can continue to research and pioneer groundbreaking treatments to help people like me live a full life  

I won a ballot place, but decided to try and raise a little money this year through a few events  

In 2022 I was suffering from a lot of symptoms such as severe dizziness, passing out and shortness of breath. It stopped me from doing things, like being able to play with my son and daughters fully, I was worried I was going to fall over or collapse in front of them or drop them with my severe dizziness.  

In November 2022 I collapsed at home and was rushed into hospital and it was confirmed that I had boarder line heart failure (pumping capacity is severely reduced, can cause shortness of breath and severe dizziness) and heart block (the electrical system doesn’t beat in rhythm and dangerously slowly or most severe cases, stops) . I collapsed because my heart had stopped for a significant period of time. 

I spent 2 days in critical care and then fitted with a pacemaker to ensure this didn’t happen again, as the risks for not treating either condition can cause sudden cardiac death syndrome.   

Safe to say the last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster  and I’m trying to get used to living with a pacemaker  

Thankfully I should be able to do most normal things for now and hopefully this won’t restrict too many things until I get older  

The majority of pacemakers are fitted to patients 65+ so having one at 40 was a huge shock  

I’d like to raise money for a cause that I will have to rely on over  the next few years and more as time progresses  

Any donation will help, no matter how big or small 

Thank you