My Story

Hi everyone,

In April 2026, I will be running the Manchester Marathon, cycling over 400km from Manchester to London, and then running the London Marathon the very next weekend. A total of 500km in 8 days. 

All of this is in aid of Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK, a charity that provides vital support to survivors, co-survivors, and those who have stepped in to give CPR during someone’s most critical moments. SCA UK have kindly given me a place for London Marathon 2026 with the target to reach of £2000 (although I would love to surpass this).

Many of you will remember that my dad, Trevor, suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Thanks to a nearby defibrillator, quick CPR, and the incredible work of the Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon, he survived, something that sadly happens for fewer than 1 in 10 people who have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

What I did not expect was the impact it would have on me personally. After doing CPR on my dad, I struggled badly, isolating myself from family, avoiding going home, and even ending up in hospital with panic attacks. With the help of therapy, and by reading the stories of others who had been through similar experiences, I began to process what had happened and find a way forward. That is why Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK means so much to me, as they help people like me, as well as the survivors themselves, to cope with the emotional and psychological issues that can follow such a traumatic event.

As a small charity, founded by SCA survivors, and run by volunteers, a donation of just £10 can help fund any support group meetings for survivors and co-survivors, giving people a safe space to share, process, and improve together. Whilst I am very lucky that life has not materially changed since my dad's cardiac arrest, many people have significant changes from the hypoxic brain injuries that often follow a cardiac arrest. Your contribution could directly help someone navigate these challenges and provide the vital support they may need.

Additionally, Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK have campaigned heavily to get structured aftercare in place for all those involved in a SCA, something that was unheard of only a few years ago.

Any donation, big or small, will make a difference. Even if you cannot donate, sharing my page means the world to me and could help reach someone who can.