Caroline is a physiotherapist at the Bristol Heart Institute – where in 2017 she was also treated as a patient.

The following year, Caroline rallied a team of 32 colleagues, friends and family to take part in the Cotswolds 24 hour relay race.

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Caroline said: “The BHI is not only my place of work, which is very important to me, but it has come to be my saviour as a patient too.

“Last year I had an emergency admission to the Cardiac Care Unit in the BHI after collapsing from an arrhythmia. I was treated and cared for by colleagues and friends some of which are running the event with me.

“I cannot thank everyone enough for all the care, treatment and support I have been given. My life and that of my family’s would be very different if it wasn’t for the BHI.

“I have learnt a great deal from my time as a patient and this has certainly helped me as a clinician to deliver better care to my patients.”

The Cotswold 24 Hour Race took place on the 4 and 5 August 2018 and involved members of the team taking it in turns to run laps of the course.

Together the team completed 114 laps of 5.6 miles each – a total of 614 miles - and raised £8,300 for the Bristol Heart Institute Appeal.

Caroline said: “Although there was a good competitive spirit the weekend wasn't about blasting out PB's and winning - every single member of Team BHI rose to the challenge with gusto, a huge smile and a lot of laughing. 

“The team work and camaraderie was incredible, with individuals walking solo at night through the woods so that their team members could get some rest.

“It was an absolute honour to be part of the fantastic and fun Team BHI and there are too many incredible team members to talk about.”

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