'Hole in the heart' runner faces big challenges to raise money for Children's Heart Foundation

Paul Willgoss, 38, is looking forward to the sort of schedule that would leave most people breathless, let alone someone born with Fallot's Tetralogy, a major heart defect.

Over the last 8 months he has walked to the top of Snowdon, spent an hour on the 4^th Plinth in Trafalgar Square, run the Great North Run, run countless miles around Liverpool to train for his challenges, and fought off colds and injuries. He has also been made an Order of the British Empire member for his charity work.

In the next 3 months, he will complete his original challenge of 1000km in a year, run the Liverpool Half Marathon, his local race, walk a Marathon overnight in Manchester and in May run in the Edinburgh Marathon.

Paul tells us why he faces these huge challenges; "When I started this I never thought I'd complete the 1000km with over a 100 days to go. However, the next couple of months are huge, but knowing for the first time in my life that I'm fit enough to take on these runs and walks is a great feeling. I also know how lucky I am to be able to do this and the real challenge over this year is how to make sure that others born with their heart conditions get the support I've had, which is why I'm raising awareness and funds for the Children's Heart Federation especially in the run up to Children's Heart Week in May".

His original challenge of running or walking 1000km will be met with more than 100 days left, and he will be extending his target distance to 1500km, as he says it will "keep it interesting".

He is a trustee of both the of Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) and the Heart Care Partnership (the patient voice in the British Cardiovascular Society) and also volunteers for the Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH PA).

Update

Monday 29 March 2010
"1st challenge complete! Liverpool Half Marathon in a new PB, despite a horrendous head wind for the last 3 miles."

Tuesday 20 April 2010

 
Paul Willgoss