Grace runs marathon in memory of late granny and raises £2,150 for British Heart Foundation

A Derry woman was one of hundreds of British Heart Foundation (BHF) runners who took to the streets of London last weekend to conquer the TCS London Marathon and raise funds for the charity’s lifesaving research.   
By Staff Reporter
Published 5th Oct 2022, 09:29 BST
21 year old dental student, Grace Hand, from Derry, who raised an incredible £2,150 for the BHF by running the London Marathon.21 year old dental student, Grace Hand, from Derry, who raised an incredible £2,150 for the BHF by running the London Marathon.
21 year old dental student, Grace Hand, from Derry, who raised an incredible £2,150 for the BHF by running the London Marathon.

Twenty-one-year old dental student, Grace Hand, raised an incredible £2,150. It was Grace’s first marathon and both Grace and her Dad Nigel are diabetic, which can increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.

Grace took on the iconic challenge after promising her Granny Selena she would run it for her. Grace’s Granny sadly died last year so she ran in her memory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Grace said: “Taking part in the 2022 TCS London Marathon for the Charity of the Year, the British Heart Foundation (BHF), was such a huge challenge and an incredible experience.

"The atmosphere on the day was electric and I am proud to know that by doing this, I’ve helped to raise vital funds for pioneering research into regenerative medicine, including the development of the Heart Healing Patch. 

 “The research that the BHF does makes such a difference to the 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases, so I’m doing as much as I can to support their amazing work to help fund the next big scientific breakthrough.” 

Funds raised will go towards cutting-edge research into regenerative medicine, including Prof Sanjay Sinha’s heart healing patch which is stem cell patches of real beating heart tissue that could be applied to damaged areas of the heart so the heart can function as it should.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the BHF, said: “The stories of why our amazing supporters take part in the TCS London Marathon never fail to amaze me. It was a truly heart-warming and inspirational day cheering on Grace and all our Team BHF runners and it was even more special this time around as the BHF was the 2022 TCS London Marathon charity of the year.

“It’s thanks to the commitment of people like Grace, that the BHF has been able to continue to fund pioneering research into regenerative medicine – including the development of a Heart Healing Patch, which could save and improve the lives of millions of people worldwide affected by heart failure."

Donate to Grace’s Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grace-hand2

Visit gosanjay.bhf.org.uk  

Related topics:London