On Sunday 14th September 2025, I’ll be taking on the Brighton Cycle Ride to raise vital funds for Heart Valve Voice alongside my Chairman Phill Read and his surgeon Ishtiaq Ahmed. I'm proud to cycle alongside #TeamSCTS and SCTS President Aman Coonar on this great challenge.

Heart valve disease affects more than 1.5 million people in the UK. Yet too many patients remain undiagnosed until it’s too late. Early detection and timely treatment can save lives – but not everyone gets the same chance.

Women face additional challenges.

Studies show that women are often diagnosed later, less likely to be referred for specialist treatment, and more likely to be told their symptoms are “just ageing” or “stress.” These delays can mean women miss out on life-saving interventions.

That’s why I’m riding — to raise funds so Heart Valve Voice can:

• Campaign for earlier detection through improved screening and awareness.

• Support patient voices, ensuring experiences from women are heard loud and clear in shaping NHS policy.

• Challenge inequalities in care, so that treatment decisions are based on need, not gender.

Every donation – big or small – will go directly to helping patients get diagnosed earlier, treated sooner, and given the best chance of a healthy future.

If you can, please support my ride. Together, we can make sure every patient’s heartbeat counts.