On the 28th September 2025, I will be running my first half marathon.

Almost 9 years ago my eldest son was admitted to Glenfield Hospital after a discovery of a rare congenital heart defect a month after he was born.

In a matter of days he underwent successful open heart surgery to ‘re-plumb’ his pulmonary artery, before spending a week on PICU and two weeks on ward 30 before being discharged.

During our time at Glenfield the work Heartlink do to support the children’s cardiology ward was evident. From the purchase of cutting edge, life saving equipment to the facilities and accomodation they have funded for the families of children on the cardiology ward - vital for those that have travelled hundreds of miles to get the treatment required for their child. 

We as a family will be forever indebted and eternally grateful to all the staff on Ward 30 and PICU, as well as the surgeons who did his surgery. Now aged 9 he continues to lead a normal life and it’s all thanks to what was then Glenfield hospital and Heartlink. 

Anyone who knows me well, will be aware that I am not a runner and never have been and so this will be incredibly challenging for me. Therefore any donations would be gratefully received to support me to undertake this challenge. The funds raised will support the charity as they continue to support lots of families during difficult times by improving facilities at Leicester children's cardiac centre and provide much needed medical equipment.