Paul Dilley

A Cookham Dean man is running the marathon in aid of a charity which saved his life after he went into cardiac arrest in August 2018.

Paul Dilley, from Hills Lane, suffered a ‘widow maker’ heart attack – a total blockage of one of the key arteries in the heart with a survival rate of less than five per cent.

He was attended to by Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which administered immediate medical attention at the scene to save Paul’s life.

“Until you need them you do not realise how good they are – they are an independent organisation funded by donations,” Paul, who works for an insurance company, said.

“When I have been out running I have seen the air ambulance and it just makes me smile.”

He has been training since early June but suffered a torn calf muscle during his last run, and is hoping his leg will be able to stand up to the pressure of this weekend’s course.

To support Paul, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/paul-dilley2