A WAY TO SAY THANK YOU
THE THINKING BEHIND THE RUN
On Friday 23rd August 2024, I went into cardiac arrest.
For around 7 minutes my heart wasn't beating. It took three attempts - three 'shocks' - to get my heart restarted.
My heart had stopped minutes after I arrived at Royal Derby Hospital. Fewer than 1 in 12 patients (7.8%) survive to 30 days after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
My wife, Sophie, had driven me the 10 miles to the hospital, in Friday morning rush hour traffic, and delivered me just in time.
And the emergency team that received me - led by Rupert, the chap in purple - are the best in the business.
I owe them my life. So I would love it if you could help me to say thank you.
ABOUT THE RUN
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Where frOM?
BREEDON PRIORY HEALTH CLUB
Green Lane, Wilson, Melbourne DE73 8LG
Where TO?
DERBY ROYAL HOSPITAL
Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3NE
THE ROUTE
A STEADY TEN MILES FROM BREEDON TO DERBY
At 8am on Friday 23rd August, I left a class at Breedon Priory Health Club, feeling pretty rubbish. I didn't know it, but one of my key coronary arteries was totally blocked. I was having a heart attack.
Thankfully my wife, Sophie, was at the class with me. She realised what was wrong, and drove me straight to Royal Derby Hospital. The hour-long wait for an Ambulance could have killed me.
We'll run together from the gym to the hospital - a 10 mile distance, mainly following the Cloud Trail. You can take a look at the actual route here.
There will be a range of abilities and speeds, but there will be no timing and just one goal: to get there alive!
We'll be following an old railway line, so it will be pretty flat - but as it's 10 miles, I'm training to make sure I can do it safely. You might want to do the same!
WHAT IS IT FOR?
RAISING MONEY tO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AND SERVICES AT ROYAL DERBY HOSPITAL
Not every Cardiac Arrest looks the same. In my case, I was described as 'snoring'.
But my body was fighting for life. It needed an expert like Rupert to spot what was really happening. And he needed a team around him - like Sasha, Ashley, Mo and countless others - with the ability to bring me back from the dead.
And when they got me back, I needed the magician-like abilities of the Cardiac Catheter Suite to open up the three arteries which were significantly blocked.
And then the incredible care of the nurses in the Coronary Care Unit and later on the ward and in Cardiac Rehab as I came to terms - physically and mentally - with what happened.
Every penny we raise from this event will go towards supporting these incredible people - and helping make sure the next person who finds themselves in the position I did, can be as lucky as I was.
WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU?
SUPPORT US IN ANY WAY YOU CAN
If you fancy joining the run and raising money yourself, that's probably the best way to make the biggest possible contribution to the hospital.
But all we really need is support. If you want to make a donation, pop up along the route with some water bottles, or just send on your best wishes, it will all be gratefully received.
And if you've got an idea you'd like to share about how you can help, just email me - I will be really happy to hear from you.