Richard To Run Bristol 10K After Serious Heart Attack

Entries for the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k and the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Mile are now open. Enter at: Greatrun.org/Bristol10k

A dad-of-two who suffered a serious heart attack while playing in a football match was hailed by medics as a ‘walking miracle’ after he made a full recovery.

Richard George, from Bristol, almost died when he suffered a heart attack while he was taking part in a charity football game in Cadbury Heath.

The 52-year-old passed out and had to be resuscitated four times on route to hospital, where he was left in a coma for eleven days.

After doctors placed a stent in one of his arteries, that was almost completely blocked, Richard went on to defy expectations and made a full recovery.

He was dubbed by medics as a ‘walking miracle’ after the care he received meant that he was able to go on and live a healthy and normal life.

Richard, who works as a project manager, altered his diet and took up exercise.

He wanted to give something back to the British Heart Foundation who supported him throughout his treatment and recovery and so he decided to take on a fundraising challenge.

He will take on the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k on Sunday 7 May to raise funds for the charity and to raise awareness about coronary related illnesses.

Richard said: “I was taking part in a charity football match in 2012 when suddenly I started experiencing really uncomfortable chest pains.

“At first I didn’t think too much of it and thought maybe I am pushing myself for a bloke in his late 40s!

“Then all of a sudden I fell to the ground and I blacked out, I don’t remember anything else but I have been told that I had to be brought back round four times on the way to hospital.

“I spent almost two weeks in a coma and I then had a stent inserted. It was a pretty big shock because I didn’t have any symptoms beforehand.

“The support and care I received from the hospital was second to none, they were amazing and it made me want to give something back to raise awareness and support the British Heart Foundation.”

Richard, who is dad to Danielle and Lewis, decided to embark on a strict healthy eating and exercise regime to give himself the best chance of recovery.

He started exercising three times a week and began to add more fruit and vegetables to his eating habits.

When his friend signed up to take on a 10k running challenge, Richard decided that he wanted to do something similar in order to raise money for charity.

He will join over 12,000 others for the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k that returns to the city this spring.

Runners are taken on a scenic tour of Bristol across a fast and flat course that travels along the Avon Gorge and passes under the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The day is one for all ages and abilities with the addition of the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Mile event were families can enjoy being active together.

Richard will take on the event for the third time and hopes that he can raise a record amount for charity in 2017.

He added: “The reality of being that close to losing my life will never leave me and that in itself makes me even more grateful to everyone who saved me and enabled me to continue my life as close to normal as is possible.

“I think we underestimate the support that charities like the British Heart Foundation require to invest into research and equipment to help everyone who suffer from heart attacks each year.

“That is the biggest reason why I want to take on the 10k to raise money so I can give back something for saving my life.

“The stories I see and hear each day show men and women who are having heart attacks are getting younger each year but the success stories are improving.

“The foundation will always need donations, no matter how big or small so it’s important to keep that in my mind while I am running.”

Entries for the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k and the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Mile are now open. Enter at: Greatrun.org/Bristol10k