By Linzi Watson

Last updated at 13:49, Thursday, 17 September 2009

A dedicated Carlisle dad whose daughter was recently diagnosed with a heart condition is taking part in this weekend’s Great North Run to raise cash for a charity which has helped her.

Andy Hall

Andy Hall, 41, has vowed to do all he can to help the British Heart Foundation after experiencing its good work first hand.

He will take part in the 13-mile half-marathon on Sunday in Newcastle and is urging local people to get behind him.

Tests were carried out on Andy’s daughter, Gemma, 16, which showed that the left side of her heart was malfunctioning. She was diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome in July.

Andy  said: “This means that there is a problem with the flexibility of her joints and the muscles don’t do what they are supposed to – they are looser than they should be.

“You can’t physically see any problems but my wife Julie and I noticed she was having some problems with everyday things like picking up a fork or unscrewing jars so we sought medical advice.”

He added: “Our doctor told us that because this is a muscle condition they would need to check her heart, which is obviously a muscle also.

“The left side does not work as it should. We were shown a screening and you see that it wasn’t functioning properly.”

Andy added: “Our own hearts hit the floor when we heard this. But we have since learned that Olympic medal winner Roger Black had the same condition and it clearly hasn’t stopped him.”

Gemma has been for tests at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and doctors are said to be keeping close tabs on her condition.

Andy, who is a media officer for Carlisle United, lives at Little Corby with his family, which also includes nine-year-old Mathew. He added: “Something like this really focuses your mind on what is important. Gemma just cracks on – she is an inspiration.

“Over the past few months I have seen first hand the great work that the British Heart Foundation do and I want to do what I can for them.”

Andy, who was in the Army for 25 years, is no stranger to physical graft but he admits the Great North Run will be a tough challenge for him. “There is no doubt she will be in the front of my mind, spurring me on for the whole 13 miles,” he said.

A record 54,000 people are expected to take part in the 29th annual event in Newcastle this Sunday, which is being shown on the BBC.

If you would like to sponsor Andy you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fozzy41

First published at 11:33, Thursday, 17 September 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk