Why London-Brighton bike ride is dear to Helen’s heart
Helen Pearce was just 15 months old when she underwent open heart surgery and her father died of a heart attack just six years later.
Now the 40-year-old is taking on the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) London to Brighton Bike Ride in June to raise funds to carry out research into heart disease.
Mrs Pearce said: “I have witnessed first-hand the shattering impact heart disease has on families. At 15 months, my parents were hit with the news my pulmonary valve was defective and required urgent open heart surgery to replace it. Thankfully, I had an operation soon afterwards.
However it wasn’t until the age of 21 that she was finally given the all clear.
Mrs Pearce, of Orache Drive, Weavering, added: “Five years later, my dad died from a heart attack. He was healthy, and we didn’t think much of it when he started experiencing chest pains. But within a week, he had suffered from two heart attacks, the second proving fatal. There was no warning and hardly any signs, and the whole family were torn apart.
“I’ve wanted to do the London to Brighton Bike Ride for a long time – the charity’s research is vital in discovering new treatments for heart patients. I’ve already noticed the breakthroughs the BHF has made since my dad’s passing 32 years ago, which is really encouraging.
“I’m training at the weekends and evenings and fundraising at the school where I teach. I’m looking forward to the big day – it’ll be such a sense of achievement when I cross the finish line, seeing my mum and friends cheer me on, and I’ve heard that the atmosphere is amazing.”
To sponsor Helen visit https:// www.justgiving.com/HelenPearce10 .
If you want to take part in thew London to Brighton Bike Ride, visit bhf.org/L2B or you can contact the events team on bikeride@bhf.org.uk or 0300 456 8355. Ever since Making a Difference in Maidstone (MADM) opened its doors at number 52 Church Street on April 11, business has been booming.
The charity store was set up by churchgoer Amanda Sidwell after eight months of planning.
Her mum and fellow volunteer, Barbara Gibbs, said: “We have got a lot of support from local businesses and passers by, and compliments on how nice the store smells.”
The store raises funds for homeless people and also provides them with household items when they move from shelters and into a new house.
Colin Goodey, 52, is one of 20 volunteers for the charity. He said: “This week I packed up a box of things for a man who had nothing when he moved out of the shelter. It’s not just about raising funds, it’s about helping and supporting the needy.”
While the store waits for its phone to be installed, anyone interested should call on 07769 268962.