Hi there! 

This year I have the privilege of taking on the mighty challenge of the 2022 BHF London Marathon in memory of my Dad, Jim Paterson.

Dad had a massive heart attack and died suddenly in April 2019.

Heart attacks that strike without warning are extremely cruel and cause significant heartbreak. My Dad knew this only too well - he lost his own Dad, 'Big Jim', from a sudden heart attack at only 52 years of age.

The British Heart Foundation is the leading charity which supports heart and circulatory diseases in the UK. Each year they fund over £100 million worth of research into heart disease, strokes, vascular dementia, diabetes and what causes them. 

By funding scientists to undertake the cardiovascular research needed, I believe new cures and treatments will continue to be found – heart transplants, pacemakers, stents and portable defibrillators have all come from such research.

Dad benefited from this research himself, through an angioplasty and a heart valve replacement operation. These treatments no doubt extended his life to the age of 77 and gave us all precious years where he got to meet two of his grandchildren - who he absolutely adored! Nobody lives forever, but sometimes a few more years can make a huge difference.

So, I  am very grateful to the British Heart Foundation, who have selected me to run the Marathon this year in a charity place. I can assure you, I will give it my very best shot at getting around the 26.2m course!

I would be incredibly grateful for any donation, no matter the size. I very much appreciate that we are all expecting a tough winter, but I do hope you share my view that we must try and support this important research - where theories can be turned into reality.

Look out for me on the day!

Best wishes,

Max