By Ebba Ritzen
London Marathon 2022 is taking place on the 2nd of October. This year’s race follows a record-breaking year with roughly 40,000 people taking part in 2021. We’re lucky to always have so many amazing people running the London Marathon for us, and this year is no different. Among our runners this year there are actually two people with family ties to the charity!
Phoebe Watson
Phoebe is the granddaughter of Dr David Watson, who founded Heart Research UK in 1967 after the death of a young patient. She’s running the marathon for the second time, admitting she feels terrified as she hurt her knee last time. Still, running for Heart Research UK is very important to her, and she’s proud of the work her grandfather did.
“I don’t work in science or healthcare myself, so being able to contribute to the funding of more research by running feels great,” Phoebe says.
Phoebe has a friend who’s had a heart problem since they were a baby, and it’s because of research that this person is still here today. Perhaps even research that her grandfather was able to support.
Mathew Watterson
Mathew’s dad is Kevin Watterson, a retired cardiac surgeon and one of our trustees. Mathew used to be a big runner about 10 years ago, doing events like Marathon Des Sables, a 251 km ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert. After a few busy years, turning 40 has inspired him to pick it back up again, to stay healthy for his family.
Mathew didn’t think a lot about his dad’s job until a few years ago, when his wife mentioned his last name to someone at work. The colleague looked shocked for a second and asked if Mathew was Kevin Watterson’s son. The colleague then told the story of their daughter who had been extremely ill as a baby and needed multiple heart operations over the years to repair it. She initially had limited life expectancy, but luckily she was now 19 and healthy. They were incredibly grateful to Kevin Watterson and said they didn’t think the daughter would be alive without him and his work.
Having his own kids, these stories have haunted Mathew, and he’s very keen to raise money for researchers to carry on the great cause that his dad contributed to. 50 years ago, 80% of babies born with a heart defect died, but now 80% survive, due to the great research being funded across the world.
“Although most babies born with a heart defect now survive, 20% of them still don’t. Hopefully with more money for research, they might do in the future,” Mathew says.
Mathew has a brilliant Instagram page (@one.more.beat) where you can follow his journey of training for the marathon, including some healthy heart tips from his dad who is his biggest supporter. His dad also ran the marathon for us back in 2004.
Top: Mathew Watterson
Bottom: Kevin Watterson
Phoebe Watson says:
“I don’t work in science or healthcare myself, so being able to contribute to the funding of more research by running feels great.”
Mathew Watterson says:
“Although most babies born with a heart defect now survive, 20% of them still don’t. Hopefully with more money for research, they might do in the future.”
