Story
We're fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, who helped our presenter, Andy Valentine, recover from Heart Disease.
FCR Radio is a community radio station based in Plymouth, Devon. Fostering a kind, close-knit, caring community is at the very heart of what we do. We're fundraising on behalf of JEM (Jacki) and ART (Andy Valentine), a married couple who have presented with us at FCR for years. You'll know them from their Saturday Morning JEM & ART Show, and Andy Valentine's Monday Morning Radio Show!
Jacki and Andy had their first-ever date on Valentine's Day. So sweet, but it gets sweeter! They also got MARRIED on Valentine's Day later down the line in Cornwall, 2025!
However, not even four months into their marriage, Jacki and Andy were suddenly faced with a diagnosis of Heart Disease. Andy needed surgery. On the 4th of June 2025, Andy underwent a heart bypass, and thankfully, he recovered. It was an incredibly difficult time for them both, from a sudden diagnosis to recovery, especially as a couple so early into their marriage.
Without the help of the British Heart Foundation and their ceaseless efforts to fund research, treatments, and cures for heart problems, the NHS may not have had the facilities to treat Andy so effectively. It is in no small part due to their incredible contributions to the medical field of cardiovascular disease that Andy is able to live a happy, healthy life following his diagnosis and surgery alongside his wife, Jacki. For that, we're delighted to be able to give back with our fundraiser in their honour.
Celebrating Andy's new lease on life, Andy and Jacki are taking on the "End to End" journey - driving their campervan all the way from Land's End in Cornwall to John O'Groats in Scotland. This journey traverses the entire length of the island of Great Britain, from its most Southwestern extremity to its most Northeastern extremity. They'll really be taking the scenic route, too, as they're not taking any motorways for this challenging journey! They estimate this will take around 10 days, and we'll be following along with them every step of the way. You can, too!
We'll be broadcasting just past 9AM every morning with a daily check-in on our intrepid adventurers JEM and ART, which you can tune in to LIVE on fcradio.co.uk! You can also find us on Google Play, the App Store, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and join in the Shows via WhatsApp on +447458302444!
Andy and Jacki's Projected Itinerary:
Fancy following along on JEM and ART's travels a bit more closely? Wondering if they'll be passing you by? Here's their guideline itinerary!
Day 1 - 8th September
Leaving Land's End, 9am-10am. Feel free to come see them off on their travels!
Exeter via the Jamaica Inn, 12pm - 2pm. If Land's End is quite far out of your way but you still want to celebrate, you're very welcome to stop in for lunch with Jacki and Andy at the Jamaica Inn!
Day 2 - 9th September
Exeter - Chippenham
Day 3 - 10th September
Chippenham - Leicester
Day 4 - 11th September
Leicester - York
Day 5 - 12th September
York
Day 6 - 13th September
York - Berwick on Tweed
Day 7 - 14th September
Berwick on Tweed
Day 8 - 15th September
Berwick on Tweed - Perth
Day 9 - 16th September
Perth - Inverness
Day 10 - 17th September
Inverness - John O'Groats
The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK, but sadly, every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like you that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early-career scientist, but every pound helps, so every penny counts!
Thank you for helping us give back to a charity that's near and dear to our hearts (literally!) 💖