A new initiative by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is reshaping the traditional concept of memorial benches, unveiling a series of red benches that celebrate the „living memory“ of individuals who have triumphed over cardiovascular issues. One such bench has been installed in Southall Park, located in west London, chosen by Bill Lonsdale, who identifies himself as a „park runner, former athlete, heart attack survivor – and ready to go again.“
This initiative coincides with the BHF’s 65th anniversary, with a total of 65 benches being placed across the UK, six of which are situated in London. Since experiencing a heart attack, the 74-year-old Lonsdale has completed 25 marathons and is currently training for the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for the charity.
The inscription on his bench reflects his resilient spirit: „The running man with miles and miles ahead.“ In October 2017, shortly after completing a marathon, Lonsdale suffered a heart attack while carrying a cup of coffee up the stairs.
„The first cardiologist that saw me said, ‚Mr. Lonsdale, you’ve run your last marathon.‘ Then, the next morning after I’d had the stent fitted, a more enlightened cardiologist, who was also a runner, said, ‚Of course you’ll be fine – your background has saved you,'“ Lonsdale recounted.
Lonsdale reported having „absolutely no indication that something was coming.“ His condition was later identified as familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that leads to cholesterol accumulation in the arteries. „As soon as I got through cardiac rehab and was allowed to get back to running, I was back to running,“ he stated.
The benches are designed to initiate discussions about heart health, particularly significant given that someone in the UK succumbs to cardiovascular disease every three minutes. Lonsdale selected Southall Park for his bench, noting its importance as a frequent participant in Parkrun, which collaborates with the BHF.
„It’s great to get people together – community support, mental health support, and also the physical activity,“ he added.
Southall has a substantial South Asian community, a demographic statistically at a higher risk for heart-related ailments. Emily McGrath, a senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, emphasized the health risks faced by this group.
„We do understand that this group is more likely to have type two diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. These risk factors put somebody at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease,“ McGrath explained.
Kuldip, a volunteer at Southall Parkrun, expressed his support for the benches, stating they serve as a vital reminder of the importance of self-care. „We are really pleased to have this bench placed in Southall in recognition of Bill’s recovery from his heart attack,“ he remarked.
Lonsdale also conveyed an encouraging message for those aiming to enhance their heart health. „Prevention is always better than cure,“ he advised. „One of the major things to help you not suffer from cardiac conditions is to get plenty of exercise, eat properly, and look into parkrun. Do come along to parkrun, join in at your own pace – as fast as you like, as slow as you like – but get as much exercise as you can because it really is a protective mechanism.“
For more information on heart health and community initiatives, individuals are encouraged to engage with local resources and participate in activities that promote cardiovascular well-being.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Benjamin Davies auf Unsplash
