A Perthshire social media icon, whose son underwent open heart surgery, has thanked supporters for helping him raise thousands of pounds for life-saving research into cardiac and circulatory diseases.
Popular amateur weather forecaster Windy Wilson is on a mission to raise £25,000 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) this year as the charity marks its 60th anniversary.
And the 54 year-old from Auchterarder is already well on the way to achieving his target, having recently completed the gruelling 50-mile Moray Coast Ultra Marathon from Forres to Cullen, which generated over £18,000 for the pot.
Windy, who has gained a huge following with his weather posts on social media, was inspired to help the BHF following his son’s own personal experience.
The youngster – who is affectionately known by the family on social media as “Young Windy”- was born with a hole in his heart, but the congenital condition referred to as an atrial septal defect (ASD) was only diagnosed in the summer of 2018 when he was 13 years old.
An ASD means there is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart and surgery may be required to close it.
Last December, aged 14, Young Windy underwent open heart surgery at The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Four days later, on Christmas Eve, he was discharged, with the family describing it as “the best Christmas present they could ever have hoped for”.
Now, as the BHF prepares to celebrate its 60th birthday on July 28, Windy is urging others to support the nation’s heart charity.
He explained: “We know from our own personal experience just how crucial research is.
“And that is why the work of the BHF is so important. We are one of the lucky families. But sadly, too many others are lost to heart and circulatory diseases. I just wanted to do my bit to say thank you and to raise awareness of the amazing work the BHF funds.”
The BHF is the biggest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland and the UK.
Since its inception, the charity’s research has contributed to the first UK heart transplant, the development of pacemakers, the use of clot busting drugs to treat heart attacks, and the rollout of genetic testing for inherited heart conditions.
In the 1950s, the majority of babies diagnosed with a complex congenital heart condition in the UK died before their first birthday.
Today, thanks to research, more than eight out of 10 babies with congenital heart disease grow up to be adults.
In Scotland around 30 babies a month are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
Windy continued: “Thankfully [Young Windy] is recovering really well.
“He has been taking things easy, building up his strength and is now starting to do all the things he has missed out on with his friends. We are so proud of the way he has dealt with everything. I call him my wee heart warrior – and he really is.”
Windy said he was inspired to take up running challenges after his wife, “Gusty”, took part in the London Marathon in 2018.
He admitted he initially mocked her efforts as she built up her stamina by beginning her training with short distances but when he tried to match her efforts he only lasted a couple of miles.
That prompted him to add in running challenges to his fundraising.
Windy added: “Thank you to everyone for their continued support in all my fundraising efforts.
“Over the past seven years Team Windy has raised over £130,000 for good causes.”
James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, said: “It is wonderful to have Windy’s incredible support and we are so glad to hear his son is making a good recovery.
“Their personal experience emphasises just how important research is into heart and circulatory diseases – research that is only made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
“As we look back on the last 60 years and ahead to the future, our goals are even more ambitious and so we really do need your help now more than ever.
“Together we can help save and improve more lives.”
You can find out more about Windy’s fundraising for BHF and donate at www.justgiving.com/youngwindy
