School girl to raise money for charity that helped save her dad (From Gazette Series)

School girl to raise money for charity that helped save her dad

11:20am Thursday 5th November 2009

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A SCHOOL girl from Thornbury is raising money for a heart charity to say thank you for saving her dad’s life.

Castle School pupil Isabella Cosh, 11, is helping to organise a charity fair later this month in aid of the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Mark Cosh, Isabella’s father, suffered a heart attack at the age of just 47 in March of this year.

He began to feel unwell while playing golf and on returning home began to feel worse and to experience a pins and needles sensation down his arms.

Sally Cosh, Isabella’s mother, said: "It was very frightening for all of us as the children were at home at the time. I gave Mark an aspirin while we were waiting for the ambulance but it was such a relief when the ambulance arrived and the paramedics were able to take over.

"Our daughters have been brilliant throughout and we are so grateful to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Whilst we were at the hospital we were amazed by how much of the equipment there had been provided by the BHF and by the amount of pioneering heart research that they fund."

The father-of-two was in Frenchay Hospital for several weeks and then underwent a triple heart bypass at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He experienced complications following his operation but has just had his sixth month check and was given the all clear.

He said: "It's been a really difficult six months for me and the family. It was a real shock when I had a heart attack as I've always been pretty fit and healthy. I did used to smoke but I gave it up two years ago.

"My dad died of a heart attack when he was 60 years old, but I didn't realise it could hit me so young. I'm much more aware of my heart health now and I've continued to exercise to stay fit and healthy."

Isabella will be raising money at a school fair, held at the Castle School in Thornbury on Friday, November 13 (6-8.30pm).

The family, including eldest daughter Francesca, 15, are also planning other fundraising events in the future.

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