Far too many of us have felt the pain of losing someone we love. With your donations, we power groundbreaking cardiovascular research to save and improve lives, bring hope to families, and keep hearts beating across the UK.
Story
On 23rd July 2023, I lost my best friend, my Dad, Andy Dun.
I truly had the most incredible Dad; he was kind, funny, and loving. His passing was a result of a heart attack. It was sudden, shocking, and completely devastating. I miss him terribly.
Before my Dad’s passing, I hadn’t fully grasped how sudden cardiac events can be. Losing my Dad highlighted the critical importance of learning CPR and having access to a defibrillator. According to the British Heart Foundation, less than 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, and every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases the chance of survival by up to 10%. These statistics are particularly concerning in rural areas, where defibrillators may not be readily available and ambulance response times can be longer.
Since my Dad’s passing, my family has been raising funds for the British Heart Foundation in his memory. Now, I am taking on my own challenge to contribute. In April, I will be running the Paris Marathon.
The picture above is from the only time I ever joined my Dad on a run. I remember complaining the whole time and wanting to give up within the first two minutes, once the novelty of riding my bike had worn off. To keep me going and pedaling up a hill, my Dad encouraged (or rather bribed) me with the promise of hot buttery toast when we were finished. He kept his promise, and I know that as I run this marathon, I’ll be thinking of him every step of the way, hoping that hot buttery toast will be waiting at the finish line.
