My name is Michele Wilson, I am 22 years old and I am running the BUPA Great North Run this year and raising money for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
On 20th September 2006, my 23-year-old brother Kevin (my only sibling) died of an Arrhythmia. His death was a complete shock, as he was not ill and had no symptoms of any heart problems (this is common with Sudden Arrhythmic Death).
Devastated and unaware of what an Arrhythmia, CRY helped me and my parents to get screening done at the London Heart Hospital (I have been given the all clear, but my parents still need further testing); and invited us to a family bereavement day, where we could meet other families who have lost loved ones in the same tragic and incomprehensible way!
The BUPA Great North Run will be the first time I have competed in a half marathon (I have only ran 10k races before), so the race will be very challenging for me! My brother Kevin was very athletic and had ran the Liverpool Marathon in 20-05 and it is for this reason that I want to complete a half marathon myself in his honour.
I know Kevin will be very proud of me taking on such a challenge just 10 days after the first anniversary of his death! And for raising money for CRY, so that they can continue their work and try to prevent Sudden Arrhythmic Deaths from occurring as often as they do!
By Michele Wilson
