Dental practice manager on fundraising mission following charity run collapse
A dental practice manager from Chertsey is raising money after receiving life-saving treatment during a charity run.
Matthew Tanna-White, from Abbeymead Dental Centre, was taken ill close to the end of the Silverstone Half Marathon, which he was running in aid of Get Kids Going. The 55-year old was airlifted to hospital in Coventry after he lost consciousness while running the race with his 21-year old daughter, Kiran.
Matthew described what happened, saying he reached the final stages of the race and then passed out and keeled over. He fell to the floor, breaking a bone in his face. Fortunately, an urgent response team from St George’s Hospital cardiac department were on hand to provide Matthew with life-saving CPR treatment. Matthew’s daughter, Kiran, only realised what happened after she had crossed the finish line. Matthew thinks he passed out for around 20 minutes. Once the team on the ground had carried out chest compressions and got his heart started again, he was taken by air ambulance to the University of Coventry Hospital.
In hospital, tests showed evidence of genetic coronary heart disease, and Matthew had a stent fitted. He was back at work just two weeks later. Now, he is focusing on raising money for the services that almost certainly saved his life. Air ambulances are predominantly run on donations, and any extra funding can make all the difference. The practice has already hosted a raffle, which raised £500, and Matthew and his colleagues are working on ideas for future events.
Join this Discussion