A heart-attack survivor has been honoured with a special bench at one of his favourite running places in the borough, in celebration of the British Heart Foundation’s 65th anniversary. Marathon runner Bill Lonsdale was told by a doctor that he would not be able to run again after his ordeal, but he defied the odds by running the London Marathon just 6 months later. He will run his 55th marathon next week.
Bill, aged 74, is one of just 65 people across the UK chosen by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to take part in its national campaign and have a red ‘living tribute’ bench installed with their name on it, commemorating the charity’s milestone anniversary of funding life-saving cardiovascular research.
Behind every bench is a real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition – and thanks to research, they can survive to enjoy life with their loved ones.
Bill’s bench
The charity worked with Ealing Council to install Bill’s red bench in Southall Park where he often takes part in Parkrun events. He is also a regular at Northala Fields in Northolt and has taken part in more than 240 Parkruns there. Parkruns are free, weekly, community events held in open spaces and parks for people to run or walk around at their own pace.
The bench’s engraving describes Bill as ‘the running man with miles ahead.’
In October 2017, the retired university lecturer from West Drayton, in Hillingdon, felt pain in his chest, arm and under his chin one morning as he got ready for his usual morning run.
He was taken to hospital where blood tests indicated he had had a heart attack and he was later fitted with a stent to keep his heart working properly.
Before his heart attack he had already run 30 marathons and even won a medal for the pentathlon in world championships.
Bill said: “When I had my heart attack I was told I’d never run again and I was devastated. I had been running 5 marathons a year. It was something I loved and part of who I was.
“But then another doctor said because of my previous fitness levels and the fact I had already run 30 marathons, I could continue with my running if I took my rehabilitation seriously and at a steady pace.
“I ended up completing the London Marathon 6 months after my heart attack. I’m really proud of that, and my background as a marathon runner stood me in good stead. Of course, anyone else thinking of doing a running event after a heart condition should always check with their doctor as some exercise levels might not be suitable for them.”
‘Such an honour’
Bill has 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren including Amelie, aged 4, who has had valve surgery twice for a condition affecting her heart. He is passionate about raising awareness of cardiovascular disease.
He added: “It’s such an honour to have a bench in ‘living memory’ of me – it’s a symbol of hope and resilience and shows people that even if they do have a heart condition, they can do the things they want to do. That’s all thanks to research like that funded by BHF which means better treatments for cardiovascular disease and for some people can lead to a better or quicker recovery.”
When the BHF was founded in 1961, most heart attacks were fatal and more than 7 in 10 people in the UK did not survive one. With the help of BHF-funded research, Bill is now among the majority who do now survive a heart attack in the UK.
Bill is preparing to take part in this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 26 April – his 55th marathon – to raise funds for BHF.
Peter George, Ealing Council’s director responsible for parks and leisure said: “We’re delighted to support the British Heart Foundation’s campaign. It feels really special to celebrate Bill’s achievements in Southall Park where so many people come to run, walk, and enjoy being outdoors. His story shows just how important staying active can be, and why our parks matter so much in supporting people’s health.”
More information
Find out more about the campaign, visit The British Heart Foundation website. If you would like to take part in or volunteer at Southall Parkrun visit the website.
