PAUL-JOHN HARRIS

Entertainer and DJ Paul-John Harris is beating the odds by taking part in his first ever marathon.         

The 56-year-old from Newhaven was diagnosed with heart problems when he was five years old and has had three operations to fix a leaking valve n his heart. 

His first operation was at the age of 13 and he had his second ten years later when a pig's valve was used. 

This lasted for eight years but when he reached 30 in 1979 he started to develop problems again. 

This time a mechanical valve was inserted into his heart and it is still working well. 

About a year ago Mr Harris decided it was time to take his health in hand. 

He said: "I was 16 stone and as I was driving to gigs in Brighton I used to sit in the car and think that I had to do something about it.  I started off slowly by walking more and watching what I was eating - and the weight began to come off. 

"The walking turned into a little jog for 100 yards and this gradually got longer and longer.  The more I ran, the healthier I got and I eventually lost three stone. 

Because of his history, Mr Harris visited his heart consultant before taking up running to make sure it was safe. 

He said: "He checked me out and gave me a clean bill of health.  I had always thought that running was something I would not be able to do because of my heart and had knocked the idea on the head. 

"But he was delighted with the idea and said I should be absolutely fine.  There are no problems or anything with my heart now and I feel great. 

Mr Harris runs six days a week for at least five miles a day. 

He said: "Running is addictive and I just love it.  I am working hard and taking lots of advice and I hope to finish in under five hours." 

Mr Harris is hoping to raise at least £1,200 for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

He said: "They campaign to have routine screening of young children so that heart problems can be detected at an early stage. 

"The aim is to cut the number of sudden and unexpected deaths through heart disease in otherwise apparently fit, young people. 

"I was one of the lucky ones as my condition was caught early. 

"If It hadn't been I might have carried on behaving as normal and then one day dropped dead.  The charity does a very important job in raising awareness of the potenti9al heart problems that children can have and in encouraging more regular screenings." 

To support Mr Harris visit e-mail paul@entertainment.co.uk or visit www.justgiving.com /www.justgiving.compauljohn