February 20, 2017 1.18 pm This story is over 85 months old

Heart transplant’s epic fundraising trek to see him walk the Lincolnshire coast

A heart transplant patient will walk the Lincolnshire coast as part of a 5,000 mile trek around the UK to raise funds for lifesaving research. Kieran Sandwell, 45, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, is taking on the ‘Trail of Two Hearts’ challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for the British Heart Foundation. At the age of…
Kieran Sandwell is taking on the 'Trail of Two Hearts' challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

A heart transplant patient will walk the Lincolnshire coast as part of a 5,000 mile trek around the UK to raise funds for lifesaving research.

Kieran Sandwell, 45, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, is taking on the ‘Trail of Two Hearts’ challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

At the age of just three, Kieran had to have open heart surgery, and suffered a heart attack when he was 13.

During his 20s, he also suffered two mini strokes and began having abnormal heart rhythms.

By the time he reached 35, he was in heart failure and he was put on the transplant list for a new heart.

In July 2009, Kieran received his new heart and donated his old heart for BHF-funded research into congenital heart disease which has contributed to important findings and helped others living with conditions like his.

Kieran’s journey will see him take in the following towns and villages on the Lincolnshire coast from February 24:

  • Long Sutton
  • Fosdyke
  • Boston
  • Wrangle
  • Wainfleet All Saints
  • Skegness
  • Mablethorpe
  • Cleethorpes
  • Immingham
  • Barton upon Humber

He said: “The inspiration for my challenge came to me around 25 years ago, but then I would never have been able to complete such an endurance challenge.

“It’s only thanks to my donor, the BHF, the Brompton and Papworth Hospital and NHS Blood & Transplant that I am able to make my dream a reality.

“My second heart has enabled me to do so much and I’m urging the public to help me support the BHF’s ground-breaking research by making a donation.”

Helena Mair, BHF fundraising manager for Lincolnshire and Rutland, said:  “We never cease to be amazed by the incredible way our fundraisers raise money for our research, but Kieran’s coastline challenge is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen.

“We are so incredibly grateful for his determination and dedication to supporting our work and we’ll be supporting him every step of the way!

“Every three minutes someone in the UK loses their life to heart and circulatory disease, which devastates the lives of those they leave behind.

“We urgently need more people to join our fight for every heartbeat and help fund our life saving research, so if Kieran has inspired you please do help power his steps and donate.”

Click here to support Kieran on his journey.