Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am sharing this, not as a sob story, but to raise money for these charities and awareness of the risks, signs and privileges every individual has.

My mum, muma, my best friend sadly died, March 2025, following a blood clot — a "Thrombosis" — which formed in her leg and travelled to her lungs, making it suddenly impossible for her to breathe.

Unfortunately, previous to this, as a family, we had a flu virus which resulted in my mum being in bed, to recover, with little movement. This is a big risk in forming blood clots and I want to raise awareness of this. Sadly any symptoms she did have modelled the same symptoms as flu (uncomfortable chest).

To prevent this risk, look out for the warning signs and take action early…

• Unusual swelling in one calf or leg

• Pain, cramping or tenderness in the leg, especially when standing or walking

• Warmth or redness in the lower leg

• Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or feeling faint — these can be signs the clot has travelled to the lungs

• Feeling unusually breathless when lying flat

• A period of immobility (illness, injury, long travel) combined with any of the above

These symptoms can mimic flu, muscle strain, or fatigue — that’s why awareness matters.

Always seek medical advice urgently if something feels “not right.”

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I am also raising funds for Yorkshire Ambulance’s Restart a Heart. I feel great privilege in being able to perform CPR, and I believe it is a skill everyone should have. Without this skill, Ash and I would never have been able to bring my mum back — although briefly — for long enough to tell her I love her one final time. She was able to turn her head and nod, which is something I will be eternally grateful for. This is because we responded quickly and effectively with knowledge of CPR.

My last marathon was completed around 4:17. I last heard my mum’s voice around 4:17, trying to comfort me by telling me “I’m alright.” I will therefore try and finish faster than this, although just finishing is the goal.

Thank you for reading, and for helping me turn heartbreak into something that might save someone else’s life.

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