It is always pleasing to hear stories from patients on how the cardiac rehabilitation has not only had a positive impact on them, but also how it left an impression with their close family members.
Following his heart attack in October 2025, and as with some many before him, Gary found that the rehab classes help to restore his confidence to get back to normal active life and able to return to work again, but also reinforce the importance of controlled exercise and diet to improve his physical wellbeing going forward.
Having already won a 2026 London Marathon place, taking place in April this year through the general ballot, his daughter Caitlin wasn’t initially going to run for a charity. But, inspired by her father’s treatment and recovery has decided to nominate Hearts & Souls because, in her words: “this is very close to home due to the support that has been provided to my Dad through the rehab programme, facilitated by the charity”
Caitlin only started running 2 years ago, starting out on the ‘couch to 5K’ with the Handy Cross Runners and this will be her first full marathon ….. and Dad hopes to be there cheering her on!
As with most NHS services, funding for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit is limited resulting in the team struggling to meet the current demand of patients recovering from cardiac events, potentially having to rely on funds from Hearts & Souls to help with the purchase of equipment, staff training and to cover just a basic level of service over the next 2 to 3 years.
Events like this are vitally important to the charity in order to raise funds. This, and any other donations received by Hearts & Souls, will go directly to support the cardiac rehab team to improve the outcome for recovering cardiac patients.
We wish Caitlin every success in the London Marathon and Gary the very best of health.
Please show your generous support and leave your good luck messages for Caitlin on her JustGiving page ….. https://www.justgiving.com/page/caitlin-mayo-1766478570755?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
