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Trail of 2 hearts - Heart transplant
survivor walks the Merseyside coastline
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A heart transplant survivor is walking
the length of Merseyside's coastline as part of a 5,000 mile trek around Britain
to help raise £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) life saving
research. Kieran Sandwell, 45, from Hertfordshire is taking on the incredible
challenge, called:- 'Trail of Two Hearts,' to mark the end of his long battle with
heart disease after having a heart transplant 8 years ago.
After setting off on 1 February 2017, from London, Kieran has already walked an
amazing 2,300 miles and is nearing the halfway point of his epic 5000 mile trek.
His incredible journey will now see him walking the Lancashire Coast, along the way, visiting:-
► Longton.
► Southport.
► Crosby.
► New Brighton.
► Heswall.
Kieran is calling on the public to support him
on his journey by helping him raise £20,000 for the BHF's life saving research,
which will bring new hope to an estimated seven million people who are living
with heart and circulatory disease in the UK. In Merseyside alone, around
175,000 people are living with the devastating impact caused by heart and
circulatory disease.
Kieran wants the people of Merseyside to get involved by walking with him,
hosting him, or by helping to him organise a fundraising event. You can find out
more information or sponsor Kieran by visiting
his Just Giving
Page.
Speaking about his challenge, Kieran said:- "The inspiration for my
challenge came to me around 25 years ago, but then it was only something I could
dream of because of my health.
My 2nd heart has enabled me to do so much and I'm urging the public to help
me support the BHF's ground breaking research by making a donation."
Kieran's battle with heart disease began when
he was just 3 years old, when he had to have open heart surgery to correct a
condition called:- 'Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA).'
This is where the main arteries in the heart are 'plumbed' back to front.
When Kieran was 13, he suffered a heart attack and during his early 20's he
had 2 mini strokes and began having abnormal heart rhythms. By the time he
reached 35, he was in heart failure and he was put on the list for a new heart.
In July 2009, Kieran received his new heart and donated his old heart to British
Heart Funded
Research into congenital heart disease, which has contributed to important
discoveries that will help others living with conditions like TGA. The money he
raises on this incredible journey around Britain will help fund even more life
saving research.
Michelle Bailey, BHF Area Fundraising Manager for North West said:- "We
never cease to be amazed by the incredible ways our supporters raise money for
our research, but Kieran's coastline challenge is 1 of the biggest fundraisers
we've ever seen. We are so grateful for his determination and dedication to
supporting our work and we're behind him every step of the way! Every 3 minutes
someone in the UK loses their life to heart and circulatory disease, which
devastates the lives of those they leave behind. We urgently need more people to
join our fight for every heartbeat and help fund our life saving research, so if
Kieran has inspired you please do help power his steps and donate!"
Travelodge, the BHF's charity partner, will be supporting Kieran by providing
him with a room to rest in for the night wherever possible along his route
through England and Wales. Berghaus, the outdoor clothing and equipment brand,
is supporting Kieran on his walk by providing clothing, including a waterproof
jacket and warm winter-wear.
To support Kieran on his 'Trail of two Hearts,' visit:-
ATrailOfTwoHearts.Com.
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