Next month on 23rd September 2023 I will take part in the [very] hilly London to Brighton off-road cycle event on my Mountain Bike with a team of 5 other ladies and over 2,000 others to raise money for a charity very close to my heart.

In 2015, when Chloe was 6 weeks old, our family’s whole world turned upside down - my sister, aged 35, had a heart attack in the middle of the night and needed emergency surgery to save her life.  We are all very lucky to have her here with us. 

In the months that followed, her health sadly deteriorated and in February 2016 she had to have a quintuple heart bypass followed by an incredibly worrying time in intensive care.  It was an extremely hard time for us all and since then life has been different. 

Sadly, following damage to her heart, she now lives with heart failure. 

She’s never smoked, always lead a healthy lifestyle and was just incredibly unlucky.

Clare is the most positive, grounded, kindest person I know. She lives every day of her life to the full and is an inspiration to me and everyone that knows and loves her. She’s got three wonderful children and a devoted husband who’s been by her side throughout.

As a family we dedicate a lot of time to raising money for the British Heart Foundation. The work that the BHF does has supported her and us from the start.  From the incredible life-saving research they do, to the new medicines she’s able to take which enable her to lead the most normal life she can. She also uses the charity’s resources provided to learn about living with a heart condition and how life can be adapted, both for the patients and their families.

So - as I struggle my way up those hills and take in the beautiful scenery - I'll be thinking of Clare and my family and dedicating it to all those who have needed the support of this amazing charity and those that will need it in the future. 

Any support, however big or small will be hugely appreciated by me and the BHF.

A little message from Clare:

“Thank you for supporting Mary in her challenge, she continues to amaze me with all the things she does and is one of my biggest supporters - she’s literally been by my side throughout everything I’ve been through.”

Thank you for your support and wish us luck 🤪 xx