Steve's story

Spreading awareness in memory of my brother, Anthony 

''My name is Steve Heard and I’m supporting HEART UK during Heart month to raise awareness of heart health, and cholesterol related diseases.

My biggest driver is to support and honour the memory of my older brother, Anthony who we lost to an unexpected heart attack in August 2023, just after he turned 37.

We’ve since discovered that our family unfortunately has a familial hypercholesterolaemia gene which can get passed down through generations. When this happens, the affected person will unknowingly be at a significantly increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks and strokes, regardless of their diet and lifestyle.For those who have high cholesterol without a pre-existing condition, diet and lifestyle can be the key factors in altering their current and future health. For people living with FH, medication is essential to ensure their risk of complications and cardiovascular disease is managed.

Tragically for us, this wasn’t identified in Anthony and the silent impact of cholesterol build up took him away from us so, so early in his life. I want to ensure that other families don’t have to experience this and for further work and awareness to be raised so that people can understand their own circumstances and know how to act on them for the benefit of their long term health.

As part of my efforts to raise awareness and funds for HEART UK, whilst remembering my brother, I am taking on a series of 5 challenges throughout 2025:

1.       Hampton court half marathon on 23rd March

2.       Three peaks challenge on 25th - 27th July

3.       A marathon memories walk with friends and family on 2nd August

4.       London’s big half marathon on 7th September

5.       Royal parks half marathon on 12th October

Whilst some of these events are personalised to my family and I, we very much welcome anyone and everyone who would like to support or take part in any of these with me. 

You can get in touch with me on my social media at @sjheard or you can donate and/or join my fundraising team at: https://www.justgiving.com/team/adventuresforanthony''.