A man whose father is suffering from heart failure is encouraging people to sign up for the British Heart Foundation’s Wiltshire Bike Ride on September 23.

David Harper, 23, from Swindon, is taking part in the bike ride, supported by Santander, to support the BHF with its lifesaving work that has kept his father, Mark, alive.

Mark will be turning 50 this year and after suffering a heart attack at the age of 46, he now lives with severe heart failure.

David said: “I’ve never taken part in a BHF event before, but after seeing first-hand how a heart attack can affect a person and an entire family, I felt I had to do something to support the research that keeps people, like my dad, from dying.

“My dad also suffers from heart disease which is hereditary, so I also want to keep my heart healthy from a young age.”

To help his condition, Mark has been fitted with an Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a small device which can be used to treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms by emitting small electric pulses or shocks to get their heart rhythm back to normal.

The Wiltshire Bike Ride takes place on Sunday 23 September, and starts from Seend Lye Recreation Grounds, near Devizes. It offers a choice of a 28 or 47 mile circular route and is suitable for both families and cycling enthusiasts. On-day registration and entertainment will be from 8am, with the bike ride starting at 9am.

To enter visit bhf.org.uk/wiltshire or call 0800 169 3672. Registration is £15 for adults and £7.50 for under-16s.