Bill Blain will be a name that many Wessex Heartbeat supporters have heard. Every two years he tries to fundraise for charity, which he does so by using his fabulous racing Yacht - the Batfish V.
When he isn't raising funds for Wessex Heartbeat by sailing over 600 miles on the Batfish, in the famous Fastnet race; he is generously offering up his time and his boat, as an auctioned off experience for our supporters at events.
This year, Bill is trying something different. He plans on walking the beautiful South Downs Way on the 25th August. According to his (wonderful) blog post outlining his plans, Bill states that he will be setting off with a Ukelele, a Sketchbook and a camera; as he hopes the 100 miles journey will take him a week or so.
I’ll be setting off on Sunday 25th August with a Ukulele, a Sketchbook and a Camera. It’s only 100 miles and will take me a week or so. Because of my heart issues that arose a few years ago anything uphill is something of a challenge.
Bill's reasoning for raising money for Wessex Heartbeat is stemmed from his history with the Wessex Cardiac Centre; undergoing a triple heart bypass and then suffering from a subsequent heart-attack a few years ago.
Bill plans on embarking on this journey, not just to raise money for the charity, but to do it for himself. He has struggled with his fitness since his time in the centre and understands just how complicated these conditions and their treatments are. This is his chance to show other cardiac patients, past and present, that its important to look after your heart health and keep active, even though it may seem scary to do so.
100 miles doesn't sound far, but if every step makes me fitter and helps other heart victims, then every step means something!
The new 3D heart modelling software that Wessex Heartbeat have been fundraising to get funded and installed at the Wessex Cardiac Centre, interested Bill and helped inspire his fundraising initiative. After him and wife Nicola, met senior doctors and surgeons, supported by Wessex Heartbeat, they were told of the new project.
It enables the surgeons to fully visualise, plan and practice operations, and for parents to understand what’s happening to their kids. This is modern tech in action – it works! They need cash to fund it.
Because of the project, its scope and cost, Bill has set a target of £10,000. As of today, his JustGiving page is sitting at just under £3,300.
He is such a wonderful supporter of the charity and his motivation to improve his fitness, as well as spread this message to others in a similar position should tell you what you need to know about him. Please head over to his JustGiving page and show him some support.