David Sime and his family from Perthshire have signed up to do the Subway Helping Hearts™ Family 5K Fun Run in Edinburgh, in memory of David’s father.
David Snr died in January this year, aged 75. Two years ago, suffering from heart problems, he underwent an operation to have four stents placed in his heart. Although this operation appeared successful, he sadly suffered a fatal heart attack this year; possibly, doctors believe, due to stress and strain placed on his heart following a car crash he was involved in.
Tragedy almost struck twice as David’s mother, Hazel, suffered a heart attack only a month ago, aged 58. Fortunately, she underwent successful surgery to have two stents placed in her heart and is now on the road to recovery.
Coronary heart disease is Scotland’s single biggest killer. In Scotland, CHD causes more than 7,000 deaths every year and it is estimated that 270,000 people are living with the condition.
David, 34, will be joined on the day by his wife, Tammy, 34 and their children, Angus, 6 and Maisie, 5. Together, their team name will be the ‘Hibees’, in homage to their favourite football team, Hibernian F.C. David spent countless Saturday afternoons at Easter Road with his father when the pair lived in Leith and now the ardent supporter takes his family there on match days.
As heart problems appear to run in the family, this has inspired the family to take part in this year’s Subway Helping Hearts™ Family 5K Fun Run following their doctor’s advice to keep fit and active.
David said, “You don’t normally think about it, but when something like this affects you it’s a good idea to go out and do something and try and raise awareness.”
The 5K series heads to Edinburgh for the second of nine events taking place across the UK from May to September this year. Once again staged in partnership with the national charity Heart Research UK, the series is part of the Subway® brand’s efforts to encourage families to live healthier and more active lifestyles together.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 27% of all deaths in Scotland, claiming in excess of 40 lives per day. In general, early death rates (before the age of 75) from CVD are lower in Edinburgh (79.9 people per 100,000) than the rest of Scotland (91 per 100,000). However, the average early death rate from CVD for men in Edinburgh is 118.3 per 100,000 – 163% higher than that of women (44.9 per 100,000).
The Subway Helping Hearts™ Family 5K Fun Run takes place in Edinburgh at Holyrood Park on Sunday 4 th June at 12.00pm. It promises to be a fun day out for all the family with entertainment and activities taking place in the Family Village.
The 5K Fun Run including the unique and iconic ‘Field of Fresh!’ – 500m of GIANT INFLATABLES inspired by Subway® ingredients that participants will run through to get to the finish line.
The 5K runs are open to the whole family. You can choose to run, walk or even push your buggy around the course – everyone is welcome! Registration is FREE for under 12’s and costs £7 for those 12 years and over if you register before the event. Included within the registration fee, all participants will receive a FREE T-Shirt, a FREE Subway® lunch, a finisher’s medal and access to the Family Village! All funds raised will be directly donated to Heart Research UK and the SUBWAY® Healthy Heart grant scheme, the latter an initiative providing up to £10,000 each to local projects throughout the UK that actively promote heart health in the community.
Please go to http://www.5ksubway.com for race information and to register.