Michael's Slow Ride the 65

At one of my recent Town Hall Q&A's, Michael Holden stood up in front of everyone and thanked me for the work I've done supporting the British Heart Foundation, and shook my hand. It was a lovely gesture, and I was genuinely touched, but the irony is: out of the two of us, I'm really not the one who deserves the thanks.

Michael had a heart attack in 2024 and was given two weeks to live without emergency quadruple heart bypass surgery. Instead of simply being grateful to be alive, he's turned that experience into doing something remarkable. Michael is currently riding to all 65 of the British Heart Foundation's "In Living Memory" red benches, on his motorbike, as part of the BHF's 65th anniversary. He's at bench 42 of 65 as I write this.

If you've been following my work with the BHF, you'll know each of those benches tells a unique story of survival. Michael has taken the time to meet many of the recipients himself, and along the way he's been joined by friends, family, and fellow bikers, turning a personal challenge into something that's bringing people together for a brilliant cause.

Because of the work that the BHF do, deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK have halved. But hundreds of families are still affected every single day, and it's support like Michael's that funds the research and rehabilitation that saves lives.

So Michael, thank YOU for the ride, and for taking the time to visit, even though it's me who should be thanking you.