This is my first ever run, so starting off small and doing a 5k run to raise money for a cause which means a lot to me. 

Sadly, in 2011 my brother at the age of 17 had a virus which attacked his heart. After going to Torbay hospital, we found out the situation was a lot more serious then we first thought and he had to be airlifted to Papworth heart and lung specialist hospital in Cambridge.

Initially he was on the emergency waiting list for a new heart. After two weeks he became so poorly he had to undergo an 8 hour surgery to fit a pump to do the work of his heart. 

After 2 months at Papworth he was allowed to come home but had to have regular check ups in Cambridge to monitor his condition.

Thankfully, after two years at his rountine appointment they discovered his heart had started to recover. The surgeons decided that his heart was strong enough for them to deactive the pump, which meant more surgery and he was able to come off the heart transplant list.

He still has regular check ups at Papworth to keep an eye on his heart to ensure it remains healthy. 

Without Papworth Hospital and their team we may not have been as lucky and my brother wouldn’t be where he is today. 

Papworth hospital holds a special place in my families heart and they always will for how much they have done for us. My Dad could never have spoken highly enough of the hospital and always wanted to give back to them. Sadly, Dad passed away in 2016 and never got the chance to do this. In honour of him I am fulfilling his wish to give back. 

Any donation no matter how big or small would be very much appreciated by myself and everyone at the Hospital. 

Let’s get running!!!

Thankyou. 

Papworth Charity is committed to supporting patients and their carers and seeks to enhance the support it provides to the Hospital. Charitable funds have enabled the Hospital to provide care beyond that of NHS funding alone, enhancing the Hospital’s status as the UK’s leading provider of specialist cardiothoracic care and the country’s main heart and lung transplant centre.