5 Sep 2024 Community

Helen’s story and why’s she’s walking 74 miles for The Kirkwood this September

Helen Wilberforce hadn’t always been a lover of walking. In fact, it was something she had grown to dislike, especially when it left her breathless and unable to keep up with her friends. At seventy-two, Helen had seen herself as fit and healthy, with no major medical problems. But everything changed one morning in June 2023, when what she thought was a routine day driving luggage during a sponsored walk took a terrifying turn. That day, she had a heart attack, something that shocked her and those around her because she felt no pain, just a strange sense that something was wrong.

“I was driving the luggage for Keith and our friends, who were walking the Cumbrian Way,” Helen explains. “I wasn’t walking because I just didn’t enjoy it. But that morning, something wasn’t right. I googled ‘Female Heart Attack,’ and I was stunned when everything I read matched what I was feeling. I had no idea I was at such a high risk.”

The quick intervention of paramedics led to a hospital visit, and soon after, Helen was told that she needed an urgent triple bypass surgery. Her arteries were dangerously blocked, and without immediate intervention, she could face another, more serious heart attack. “I couldn’t believe it. I felt so uncomfortable rather than in pain, but there I was, about to have open-heart surgery,” she recalls.

The surgery was successful, and Helen embarked on a slow and steady road to recovery. During this time, she and her husband Keith returned to their beloved volunteering work at The Kirkwood, an organization they had been involved with for years. The Kirkwood holds a special place in their hearts, not just because of its commitment to helping those with life-limiting conditions but because it had become a community for them, a place where they had given so much of their time and received so much support in return.

“The Kirkwood isn’t just a hospice. People think it’s only for those who are at the end of life or suffering from cancer, but that’s not true,” Helen says. “It’s for anyone with a life-limiting condition, and it helps the whole family. Keith and I are passionate about The Kirkwood because we’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do.”

Inspired by her recovery and newfound appreciation for walking, Helen decided to take on a new challenge: walking the 74-mile Kirklees Way to raise money for The Kirkwood. This circular path around the edges of Kirklees not only represents the area the charity serves but also symbolizes Helen’s journey to reclaim her health and well-being.

“I owe so much to the people who’ve supported me, my doctors, Keith, and the team at The Kirkwood. Walking the Kirklees Way feels like a way to give back and show that I’m stronger now,” she says. “It’s a challenge, sure, but after everything I’ve been through, I’m ready for it. I’ve already walked up to eleven miles in a day during training, so I know I can do this.”

The walk holds deep personal meaning for Helen. Not only is it an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a cause close to her heart, but it’s also a testament to her resilience after such a life-altering experience. Keith, who had been walking to raise money for The Kirkwood when Helen had her heart attack, will be joining her on this journey. Together, they will walk, step by step, not just for themselves but for the many people in Kirklees who need the support The Kirkwood offers.

“We hope people will join us, whether it’s for the whole walk, a short stretch, or even virtually. And if walking isn’t their thing, maybe they’ll sponsor us,” she smiles. “There are so many ways to be part of this. The Kirkwood is for everyone, and we’re all part of this community.”

For Helen, this walk is more than a physical challenge. It’s a celebration of life, health, and the community that helped her through the most difficult time of her life. As she continues to train and prepare for the walk, she’s grateful for every step she can take.

“I never thought I’d be someone who enjoyed walking,” she reflects. “But now, it’s part of my recovery, my life, and my way of giving back. The Kirklees Way may be 74 miles, but with the support of my family, friends, and everyone at The Kirkwood, I know I can do it.”

Want to donate to Keith and Helen's walk then please click the link HERE.