I have been lucky enough to have been chosen to run the London marathon in April in aid of the British Heart Foundation (BHF). I have been running since 2006 and completed marathons in Berlin, Paris, Athens and even Tromso in the Arctic Circle. However, London is the pinnacle and a marathon I have wanted to run for years but one that has always eluded me. So, to get a place on the 40th anniversary of the event and running for such a great cause is fantastic.
The BHF is such an important charity and the research they undertake has given us machines that can restart hearts, the ability to fix arteries and the power to give someone a heart they weren’t born with. Further donations will assist research to help prevent the heart and circulatory diseases that still kill 1 in 4 people in the UK.
Running is such an important part of my life, for my health and wellbeing and I have been fortunate enough to get back into it following extensive surgery on my hips in 2016. I run every Wednesday and Sunday with a club called DOrunning who are a West Bridgford based running community. Since joining them I’ve never looked back and have seen my pace increase and my times drop. They are a very supportive and inclusive group and cater for all abilities. In addition to the running it is such a sociable group and I have made some great friends. A group of them will even be in London to cheer me on and offer that much needed support on race day. Please visit www.dorunning.org.uk for details of when and where we meet.
Being in a running club, I know the importance of the BHF as it has touched our club first hand. Two years ago, one of our runners suffered a heart problem following a run. Luckily, we were able to administer CPR and offer him the first aid required until the emergency services arrived and restarted his heart. He has since made a full recovery, but it has made us all aware of the great work the BHF do.
My fundraising target is £2,500 and I have made a great start. Should you wish to support me in my efforts and donate money to this fantastic cause then I have set up a justgiving page and this can be found at www.justgiving.com/david-jones-BHF, any donations would be gratefully received.
DOrunning, as a Community Interest Company, is also hosting a 10km running event called ‘Running from the Heart’ on 15th February to help me raise money. Starting at 3pm the run will take place along the river so the flat course could be a great opportunity to bag a PB. It is a timed event and all finishers will receive a medal and t-shirt for their efforts. To sign up for the event please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and type running from the heart in the ‘search events’ box.
Let’s help Beat Heartbreak Forever!