Kirsty Dowling, from Tallaght in Dublin completed the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for a very special cause, in remembrance of her dad John who sadly passed away from a heart attack in 2023.

“I lost my dad quite suddenly, a week after his 64^th birthday. He died of a heart attack and had the start of ischaemic heart disease.

“The last time I saw him was two days before he passed away and he looked fantastic and was in great form.

“Two days later, my brother and I were worried when we hadn’t heard from him.”

After not being able to get through to her dad and his neighbour confirming he didn’t answer the door, Kirsty went to her dad’s home where she found him unresponsive.

Her husband called the emergency services, and after performing CPR until the paramedics arrived, it was confirmed that Kirsty had lost her dad.

“My brother and I were broken when my dad was leaving his house that night.

“I want to do something in his memory. My siblings and all our family miss him every day. I researched the great work the Irish Heart Foundation does and obviously with losing my father to a heart attack I don’t want other people to go through what I went through. So, it was the obvious choice when I decided to do the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon.

“My dad used to do security at the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon around the 5km or 6km mark. I used to see my dad every year when I done it. He loved the craic and banter, he was a character and I knew I had to do it for him.

“My siblings and all our family miss him every day.

“The Irish Heart Foundation is an amazing charity and I’d recommend anyone do it for them.”