Putting heart into running

RUNNER Andrew Wilson put his best foot forward to raise £1,200 for the charity British Heart Foundation (BHF). The Duxford man, who works as health and safety manager for builders merchants Ridgeons, completed the Great North Run in a time of two hours 17

RUNNER Andrew Wilson put his best foot forward to raise £1,200 for the charity British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The Duxford man, who works as health and safety manager for builders merchants Ridgeons, completed the Great North Run in a time of two hours 17 minutes.

All his money came from sponsorship from friends and family, as well as Ridgeons colleagues. He finished in 18,052nd place in the 13-mile race, held in Newcastle.

He chose the charity because his father Albert died from a heart attack when he was 58. Mr Wilson said: "All the way along the crowds were cheering, clapping and supporting.

"I ran down the long hill to the coast road to the finish and, as I crossed the line, the Red Arrows performed a fly-past over the sea. What a welcome.

"Knowing I had raised £1,200, with £500 coming from Ridgeons, made it very worthwhile indeed."

He ran with his wife Nyree, who was doing the race for another charity.

Pictured with the cheque are, from left, Gordon Ridgeon, Andrew Wilson and Kay Aslett, of the BHF.