Heart patient prepares to kick up a Sand Storm

Sunday 02 October 2016

A man who had open heart surgery just two years ago is preparing to kick up a storm in the sand in St Ouen next month to help raise money for the charity who helped make him fighting fit again.

Andrew Robins will be leading a team from work and sprinting up the sand dunes, swimming through water, crawling under barbed wire and jumping over obstacles in the big Sand Storm Adventure Race on Saturday 15 October.

Nedbank Private Wealth’s Head of Business Development for the Channel Islands, Andrew Robins said: “I am delighted that Nedbank Private Wealth is sponsoring the Sand Storm Adventure Race this year and we have chosen to support the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as our nominated charity for the event.

“This charity is particularly important to me as I recently underwent open heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve.

“Thanks to the pioneering work of the BHF, the specialist surgical team at The Manor Hospital in Oxford and the ongoing care of Andrew Mitchell and his team in Jersey, I am now taking up the challenge of leading a Nedbank Private Wealth team over the course, just two years after my operation.

“The research funded by the BHF is vital in the ongoing fight for every heartbeat and Nedbank Private Wealth is proud to support this important work.” 

The race organisers are rounding up both troopers and cadets for the big race at the Simon Sand & Gravel Quarry. Cadets will take on the challenge over a 2.2 km course while the Troopers need to get through a 5.2 km course. They say the team category on the Trooper Course is the perfect opportunity for friends, family and colleagues to come together, have fun and achieve something "truly special" as a team.

British Heart Foundation Fundraising Manager in Jersey Summer Parkin said: “Cardiovascular Disease is a real killer amongst Islanders, sometimes striking the most unlikely of victims. Too many families lose their loved ones prematurely or are forced to live in compromise as a result, and British Heart Foundation passionately believes that this needs to stop.

“The BHF have already made incredible life-saving discoveries, but there is more work to be done and this is only made possible with the support of Islanders.

“Sandstorm is one of Jersey’s most challenging yet enjoyable sporting events, inviting Islanders to push themselves to the limit on a course unlike any other local competition. We are so grateful to Nedbank Private Wealth for supporting this event and for ultimately choosing to support the BHF and our fight for every heartbeat. Every step, every breath and every penny raised is helping us fight this heartless disease. Together, we will win!” 

You can find out more and sign up for the race here.