Since I was a little girl, and up until recently, I have lived with a congenital heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which affects between 1 in 3 in every 1,000 people. I was born with not just one, but two extra electrical pathways in my heart.

This condition is present from birth and affects the heart’s electrical system, causing abnormal heart rhythms - in my case, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). At times, my heart rate would reach 260 beats per minute, even at rest. It felt as though my heart was beating out of my chest. I would also experience chest pain, feel light‑headed and become short of breath.

There was never a single clear trigger. Sometimes it happened if I stood up too quickly, had a bit too much caffeine, or it would strike out of nowhere - mostly when I was exercising.

Despite many hospital tests throughout my childhood, and years of living in fear, doctors were never able to pinpoint exactly what was wrong with my heart. I spent most of my life believing I was simply anxious and overly sensitive to caffeine. But, I never knew when it would come back and interrupt my life, and that was terrifying.

Some severe episodes of rapid heart rhythm can lead to heart failure and, in my case, I suffered a heart attack the day before I turned 28. This was caused by ischaemia - a lack of oxygen supply to the heart.

I have always loved running. It was a huge part of who I was at university and, last May, that part of my life was taken away from me. I can still run and exercise in moderation, but I will always have worries and doubts.

18 May 2025 was the scariest day of my life, I remember lying in a medical tent, not knowing my name, my address, my phone number or the password to my phone. I was drifting in and out of consciousness, hallucinating and I had no control over what was happening to me. I thought it was the end.

I can’t thank St John's Ambulance enough, its team of eight medics were there to support me and ultimately save my life - nor the team at The Countess of Chester Hospital, who finally gave me a diagnosis.

Unlike many young people who never know until it’s too late, I’m grateful to be here and to be able to share my story.

This year, Paragon’s employee-chosen Charity of the Year is Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), and I want to do everything I can to raise vital funds to support its mission - preventing young sudden cardiac death and supporting bereaved families.

Every young person deserves to reach their own finish line in life. Let’s make sure they get there.

This year, I will be taking on the Brecons Challenge with my colleagues. We’ll be hiking Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, twice in eight hours, covering 3,800 ft and more than 14 miles.

Since my operation in September, this is all part of my recovery and the road to being a fitter, better version of myself.

If you can support us on our mission, please donate to my JustGiving page. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.💕

£50 can help support a young person who has recently been diagnosed

£80 could fund a heart screening for a person between the ages of 14 and 35

£100 can help fund a critical research project