Hi, I’m Craig Trotter. I’m a GP, and a dad of two. A couple of years ago, I realised I needed to make some serious changes. I’d struggled with my weight for years, and in 2020, I was hospitalised with COVID-19. I was seriously unwell, and I’ll always be grateful to the staff at the Cumberland Infirmary who looked after me. That experience made me rethink my health.

The real wake-up call? Trying to keep up with my own kids at a Parkrun and realising I could barely manage it. That wasn’t good enough!

So, I started running. It wasn’t easy, but with my kids pushing me along, I stuck with it. Over the last two years, running has completely changed my fitness, my mindset, and even how I approach my job. As a GP, I see every day how high cholesterol, obesity, and poor lifestyle choices lead to heart disease and other serious health problems. I knew I had to take my own advice.

That’s why I’m running for HEART UK. Heart disease runs in my family—my nan and other close relatives have been affected—and almost half of UK adults have high cholesterol, often without realising it. HEART UK does vital work raising awareness, improving screening and treatment, and supporting people at risk of heart disease. The money I raise will help them keep doing that.

This isn’t just about my family history—it’s about making sure more people take action before it’s too late. If you can, I’d really appreciate any donations to support this great cause. And if you can’t donate, take a second to think about your own heart health—small changes now can make a big difference.

Thank you for reading,

Craig