Ian Bradley's Fundraising Page

Heart Racers

I'm 72. In February last year I was talking to my doctor on a routine matter and he asked me how my training was going. I was at that time in Week 8 of a programme for the 2008 NZ Ironman which I had entered as a tribute to the late Ian Stronach, a former naval colleague, marathon runner and age group Ironman Champion. He and my daughters had inspired me to start competing in triathlons late in life. This would have been by ninth Ironman. I told the doctor that the training was going well, I was biking up to 6 hours a day, and running 3. The doctor asked me to do a treadmill test. 5 days later I underwent a double heart bypass operation. My main artery had been 70% blocked yet I had had no symptoms. I was lucky.
My family has been affected by heart disease, my Father died of a heart attack at the young age of 53.

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in New Zealand.
It is not just us older folk. Young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks more than ever before. Unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and being a smoker are things you can address. I have changed my diet.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices.

So, help me and my daughter Sarah as I join the race to beat heart disease.

We've signed up again as Heart Racers to raise money to support The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. By donating through my webpage or Sarah's, you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of New Zealanders.

So, please could you sponsor me, or Sarah? Some of you sponsored me last year and together we raised over a thousand dollars.

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It’s simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation’s bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please help me today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support