Llanelli Former Paralympian receives BHF Medal of Thanks

BHF Cymru has awarded a Medal of Thanks to a former Paralympian from Llanelli who organised a 10 mile walk and hand-bike fundraising challenge which was completed despite some of the worst weather conditions in recent times.

The event was supported by friends and family of much-loved Nest Davies from Capel Hendre near Ammanford. Nest passed away suddenly from a heart attack last October, and Lisa Pudner was inspired to set up the event which raised over £2,000 to fund British Heart Foundation for research on February 20th, which would have been Nest’s 67th birthday.

The challenge took in a loop of North Dock, Llanelli, to Burry Port, during the height of Storm Franklin, which saw gusts of up to 70 mph on the Welsh coast.

Lisa, 56, has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She says: “I first met Nest in 1986 when we worked together at the path lab reception in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen. We were best friends and she supported me when I was fundraising to get to the Sydney Paralympics in 2000.”

At a presentation evening at The Machynys Golf club, Lisa and Nest’s family and friends, came together to commemorate the event, sharing many happy memories and making the donation to BHF Fundraising Manager Jayne Lewis.

Lisa adds: “I am delighted with the amount that was raised from the event in Nest’s memory, because she was a wonderful friend, who supported me so much through the years. We did this for the BHF because they fund research into heart conditions, and we want to stop other families and friends losing loved ones in the future. I would also like to thank all the support I have received from friends, family and the local community, everyone has been so generous.”

Jayne Lewis Fundraising Manager says, “I went along to support Lisa at the start of the event in February and although the weather conditions were extremely bad, the team had decided that whatever the weather conditions, they would carry on with the event that day. They kept each other motivated throughout the walk. The event raised a wonderful amount for BHF Cymru and it was a pleasure to arrange a presentation evening for Lisa and Nest’s friends and family to commemorate the event in memory of Nest and also to thank everyone for all their help and support. As Lisa is a Former Paralympian, I was delighted to present her with a BHF medal, for all her help and support, on behalf of BHF Cymru.”

Today in Wales around 340,000 people are living with the daily burden of heart and circulatory diseases and dozens of families will lose loved ones to devastating heart diseases. The BHF urgently needs the public’s support to keep its life saving research going, and to discover the treatments and cures of the future, turning science fiction into reality.

In the last 5 years [2016-2021], BHF Cymru has funded £9.5m worth of research in Wales, supporting the work of 64 researcher staff.

You can still donate to Lisa’s JustGiving fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisa-pudner