Heart op man prepares for Paris cycle challenge

A Clifton man who had open heart surgery two years ago is to tackle another cycle challenge.
Fred Rumming from Clifton (in blue)  on th BHF cycle ride with  friends Roma Johnson and Michael Hodgkinson.Fred Rumming from Clifton (in blue)  on th BHF cycle ride with  friends Roma Johnson and Michael Hodgkinson.
Fred Rumming from Clifton (in blue) on th BHF cycle ride with friends Roma Johnson and Michael Hodgkinson.

Fred Rumming, 53, had the operation to correct problems with his heart valves, and last year completed the 90-mile Oxford to Cambridge, raising more than £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Now he is preparing to take on the London to Paris ride on September 3 - 5 and is dedicating his ride to Daniel Saker who died in January aged just 26, after post-surgery complications.

Fred was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic condition which can affect a person’s bones, eyesight or cardiovascular system.

Doctors had monitored his condition before deciding that they had to operate in July 2014. The surgery left Fred with an 11-inch scar on his chest. He was unable to walk even short distances without feeling extreme fatigue and it was four months before he could return to work.

For his latest fundraiser, Fred has so far raised £1,270.

He said: “I want to demonstrate clearly there is life after major heart surgery and also raise funds for this wonderful charity who are so supportive.

“I didn’t want to just single Marfan syndrome and its heart related conditions to raise money for, as anyone from any walk of life, sex, and race can have cardiac problems that need to be researched and fixed.

“It is just that Marfan syndrome can convey a particularly challenging condition and unfortunately people die as a result, very suddenly if not monitored and intervened.”

Donate to Fred’s fund at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fred-Rumming2015