Pudsey grandad Arthur Wood had a heart attack while running Bramley parkrun with his seven-year-old grandson in September 2016.
Arthur’s life was saved by fellow park runners performing CPR – and the fact a defibrillator was on site. He’s now fundraising for the British Heart Foundation and is asking you to support him. Here’s his story …
On Saturday 24th September 2016, I suffered a Cardiac Arrest whilst running at Bramley parkrun.
A defibrillator was on site and was used on me, alongside fellow parkrunners performing CPR. I subsequently had a triple heart bypass, then began a very challenging return to some sort of fitness.
Over the past 17 months I have gone from being barely able to walk, to building up to walking 5k, to being able to run/walk at parkrun each week and I am now finally able to run the whole of the 5K.
I feel that I now need a fresh challenge! I have embarked on extra training and am hoping to complete the Bradford 10k On the 18th March 2018.
I have set myself three challenges for 2018:
Raise money for the British Heart Foundation
Run a 10K
Run that 10K with half a beard
My family and Bramley parkrun (where I had my Cardiac Arrest) have been very supportive in helping me get back to fitness and allowing me to promote this fundraiser/adventure!
On the 17th March 2018 I will be having half my beard shaved off prior to the start of Bramley parkrun (8.45am in front of the Cenotaph in Bramley park). My running club (Pudsey Pacers) will then be doing a parkrun taker-over this day, which I will be helping with.
The following day (18th March) I, along with half of my beard, will be attempting to complete the Bradford 10K.
Finally, on the following Saturday (24th March), I will be saying goodbye to the other half of my beard, again before the start of the Bramley parkrun.
I will always be grateful to the British Heart Foundation and the NHS for enabling my operation and recovery to be so successful. I appreciate any donations you feel you could make.
Donations can be made here.