Bradford-based adult patient Louise McCormick received open heart surgery aged 7 at Killingbeck Hospital. Now 41, Louise celebrated her 40th year by completing an enviable set of running fundraisers for CHSF in 2024.
She isn’t taking her foot of the pedal this year either, and plans to take on 12 half marathons. See Louise’s JustGiving page.
Louise begins with her recollections of heart surgery back in 1991…
“I remember a lot of it surprisingly vividly! I was on Ward 7 in Killingbeck Hospital, which was the Children’s Ward that had a playroom, which I thought was brilliant – it even had a computer which was pretty exciting in 1991. Ward 7 was run by an amazing group of nurses that were always around with a smile, and although I spent some time on my own without my family, I rarely felt lonely or scared.
“I remember watching loads of episodes of the Poddington Peas on a TV and VHS that the nurses would wheel in for me, which felt very special, and I got so many cards and presents, it was like Christmas!
“I was also lucky enough to meet Frank Bruno while I was intensive care; he came to open the new shop at the Killingbeck site, which made it into the local newspaper. Very exciting!”
Louise with boxing legend Frank Bruno when he visited the children’s heart ward at Killingback in 1991
“I remember being given a blue Katie Bear and a certificate for my stay in the hospital, which was signed by my surgeon Duncan Walker and I vaguely remember going to a Christmas event that year organised by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. I still have all of my merch from my time in hospital, which I consider to be an incredibly significant time in my young life and I’m so grateful for the support my family received during what must have been a very scary time for them. I was just happy having 6 weeks off school!
Louise with Nurse Mike Fresson, who still works at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit today | Louise in the playroom on Ward 7 with Sheila | Louise and Nurse Ruth on Ward 7 (and her original blue Katie Bear)
“I wanted to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday with something huge that would provide me with a great opportunity to do some fundraising for the charity who had supported me as a child, and commemorate the fact that if I not had my heart surgery, I would not be well enough to do any running now and my life would be very different.
“So through Sports Tours International I signed up for the 2024 New York Marathon, which to date is the biggest marathon in the world, ever! To help keep me on track for a year of training I also signed up to run the Leeds Half Marathon, Leeds 10K and the Great North Run. My medal collection is pretty impressive at this point.”
You’re amazing Louise! What would you say to other people considering running for a charity (including other adult heart patients)?
“Just go for it (with your heart specialist’s approval!) Find an event that excites and inspires you to work towards, get a training plan together and get your trainers on!
“There’s an absolute wealth of information about running available online, and given the popularity of running at the moment, there are in-person clubs and online running communities to make the most of and find inspiration in.
“Running is hard but you never regret a run. I’m very lucky that I’m able to run given my heart history, and I hope I can inspire others with a similar background to set themselves a challenge. I still have check ups every two years, but I’ve received nothing but encouragement from my heart specialist to keep running.
“I’m pleased to say I’m still running; I’ll be doing 12 half marathons in 2025, and hope to do another marathon in a few years when I’ll be able to continue my fundraising journey and raise some more vital funds for CHSF. In the meantime I will continue my role as Running Events Coordinator at Leeds based charity Epilepsy Action, and would strongly encourage any local runners to sign up for our Bradford 10k on 1st June – it’s a great opportunity to do some fundraising for CHSF and celebrate the City of Culture 2025!”
Feeling inspired? CHSF has a calendar of events, including running and adrenaline challenges and family days throughout the year.
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