18th May 2022

Simon Watt, a former heart attack patient, has put in the miles to bring patients smiles by climbing Snowdon to raise money.

Marking four years since his open-heart surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI), Simon decided on 'Challenge Meets Challenge' to recognise the challenges BHI staff face on a daily basis.

Simon has smashed his original fundraising target of £2,000, raising £2,700 and counting.

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He said: "Every bit of the 7.3km to the top was an incline. There are no level areas to regain your strength and I had to take breaks on the way up to catch my breath.

"Coming back down was a challenge on the strength of my upper leg muscles to hold me back on the decline.

"It has been awesome, inspiring and humbling watching the donations coming in, in such a short space of time. I am absolutely grateful to see how so many have rallied to the cause."

As someone with type 1 diabetes, Simon’s heart attack in 2018 escalated into life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (the breaking down of fat at a rate that is much too fast) and his kidneys started failing.

After spending time in the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Wales, Simon was transferred to the BHI. There he had his lifesaving open-heart surgery during his five and a half week stay.

He conquered his incredible challenge on 16th May and we can't thank him enough. Well done Simon!

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