I AM writing to invite your readers to sign up to be a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Runner and help fight back against heart and circulatory disease.

I signed up to become a Heart Runner last year as I have such a close link to the BHF. I have a history of heart conditions in my family. My grandmother died from a ruptured aorta, my uncle had a double heart bypass surgery, and my dad was diagnosed with a weak heart muscle in 2006.

My dad and uncle are just two out of seven million people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK today. In Wales, there are an estimated 375,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease and it is responsible for over 9,000 deaths each year. But the BHF is fighting back through its life-saving research.

The BHF has funded decades of research to make sure more people survive heart surgery. I was so proud to run the London Marathon in 2015 to help the BHF push the fight against heart disease onwards

Alongside thousands of amazing Heart Runners, who either ran for the BHF or took part in a BHF running event, we helped raise around £3.5 million for the BHF’s vital research into heart and circulatory disease.

The BHF has a wide range of events for you to choose from, whether it’s a 5k, 10k, half marathon or marathon, so you can easily find a challenge to suit you. By becoming a Heart Runner, you can feel proud to know that with every mile you run, you are helping fund the BHF’s life-saving research.

To find your perfect running challenge and run for research this year visit bhf.org.uk/runs or call the events team on 0845 130 8663.

Oliver Proudlock

BHF Supporter