As you are all aware Becca tragically died suddenly and unexpectedly at home on 29.05.2025 aged 65, due to a ruptured dissecting aorta at the base of her heart.

This condition is more common than one imagines with 2000-3000 people per year losing their lives from aortic dissection in the UK.

The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust is the UK and Ireland charity uniting patients, families and the medical community in a shared goal of increasing survival rates and reducing disability due to aortic dissection, but most importantly highlighting its awareness with information on the necessary strategy on screening that can be put in place for an early diagnosis.

Several days after Becca died I was accepted for a place in the 2026 London Marathon, I think this must have been Becca’s divine intervention.

To secure a place in the London Marathon, charities have to pay a large entry fee, however as I have obtained my place on an individual basis through the ballot, EVERY penny of the money raised will go straight to ADCT.

So I thought it would be fitting to raise money for this charity in dearest Becca’s name, if nothing else to make everyone aware of the condition which is especially directed to susceptible individuals who may have had any family members with aortic dissection or aneurysm to get screened. There is a definite genetic link. Please check your family history and if any family members have survived or had the misfortune to die from the condition see your doctor and get yourselves checked out. Don't take no for an answer, insist on an ultrasound/echocardiogram.

So apart from my various weekly park runs, the early morning runs around the New Forest has become a regular routine.

Please consider this request and share the link to everyone with thanks in advance.

I must dash now to get more training miles into my legs!

🏃😩🤣