Charity in 'awe' of man's fundraising efforts

A cardiac charity has praised a man from Somerset for raising more than £10,000 for the charity over 20 years, calling his dedication "awe-inspiring."

Together with his family, Nigel Brown has raised thousands of pounds for Heartbeat.

His family have been supported by Rotary Heartbeat House - a 24-bedroom facility near University Hospital Southampton that provides accommodation for families of cardiac patients.

Mr Brown and his wife, Diana first stayed at the house in 2006 when their son George had surgery to replace his aorta and aortic valve.

As a teenager, George required further operations, meaning his parents returned several times.

"When George was ill, we sometimes stayed for two or three weeks at a time," Mr. Brown said. "It was so important for him to know we were there."

The family later relied on the facility again when both Diana and their daughter Lisa were diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can cause heart problems.

Diana had surgery to replace her descending aorta but passed away in 2024. Lisa underwent the same procedure in 2025, following the birth of her first child.

"Being able to stay close by when a loved one is having surgery is invaluable," Mr. Brown said.

To show their gratitude, the family has sponsored a room at Rotary Heartbeat House for a year and participated in sponsored cycle rides to raise funds for Heartbeat.

Tanya Harder, Heartbeat's community fundraising and marketing manager, commended Mr. Brown's efforts: "We are incredibly grateful to Nigel and his family. They have faced immense challenges, yet their dedication ensures other families receive the support they need."

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