I am going to be running and walking 13 miles in the Severn Bridge Half Marathon in Wales to raise money to support those in desperate need of rehabilitation following cardiac attacks.

I'm 65 and my daughter can't believe I'm doing this...

My husband Mike sadly passed away last year from a heart attack. He had had several over the years and had been intensively supported by
North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation and Aftercare Charity, who not only encouraged and supported him with physical rehabilitation, but kept him motivated and provided him with a much-needed support network. They were also welcoming and supportive to me and my family and we know they did all they could for him.

Mike gave his commitment to the charity as he knew everyone there works tirelessly within the community to promote cardiac health, supporting cardiac patients who have had surgery or who are preparing for it, and also people who need to maintain cardiac health.  The programme which extends the NHS provision, although excellent, is often not long enough and that's where the charity comes in by providing follow on community sessions.The charity's trainers also work with the NHS on their rehab programmes, which, from personal experience, are five star, gold standard in the North Gwent area.

Community sessions of exercise and support are run by incredibly hard working trainers who travel miles every day, sometimes leading up to four sessions a day. They use community spaces - churches, community centres etc, all of which need to have fitness equipment and other facilities which is funded by the charity.  Make no mistake, this charity saves lives by working with people who need help and encouragement to stay healthy.  The sessions bring together people who have something in common; many of them are elderly and some live alone.  The social life for them is so important, makes a huge difference to their lives and is often just as important as the exercise itself.

Mike believed in all of this and attended his classes in Llanfoist, he enjoyed the social element of the classes, talking to others with similar problems which got him out and about regularly and kept him fitter than he could ever had imagined after his initial heart problems.

When Mike passed away, I knew I wanted to help then charity to help more people like Mike as I truly believe that without their care and input we wouldn't have had the happy times we did have together. I am and forever will be indebted to their help. This is why I want to raise money for them.

So this 13 mile marathon is in memory of Mike and at the same time I am raising money for the charity he cared so much about, he'd even joined their committee and was working with the fundraiser to "do his bit and give back to the charity", as he would say.  Without funding this local heart charity could not continue to rehabilitate people within the community which helps improve patients heart function, quality of life and life expectancy.  

If you could please spare even a little for such a worthwhile charity
it be so much appreciated. And please could you share this with anyone you might know.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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