Man born with hole in his heart walks 16 miles between Arsenal and Sutton United’s football grounds for charity

A nursery manager born with a hole in his heart has taken on a walking challenge to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Scott Humphrey, 31, from Mitcham, was tired, breathless and unable to manage day-to-day activities as a child as a result of the defect – he could not climb stairs without turning blue.

He was diagnosed at about six months old when his mum rushed him to hospital because he was breathing so rapidly.

He said: “At school, I couldn’t do PE, or play football. I couldn’t even go outside at playtime as the teachers were worried that I might overexert myself.”

When he was nine, Scott finally had the operation to correct his heart defect.

Scott said: “The operation was the scariest time of my life. I knew they would have to stop my heart during the operation. When you’re young, that thought really freaks you out. I thought I was going to die.”

The operation at the Royal Brompton Hospital was a success.

Scott said: “I woke up from the operation and immediately asked for a McDonald’s. You weren’t allowed to eat in the run-up to the operation and I was starving. My dad was gone for an hour as he was driving around looking for one.

“I remember looking at the scar on my chest. It was a bit wonky and the surgeon made a joke about being distracted by a beautiful nurse as he was stitching me up.

“The operation completely transformed my life. I was able to play football and play outside with my friends, rather than just watching them. It made me appreciate very ordinary things like just going for a walk.”

To support the charity, he decided to set himself the challenge of walking the 16 miles from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to Sutton United’s ground at Gander Green Lane.

The father-of-two said: “I’ve supported Sutton United since I was a kid and my mum is a huge Arsenal fan, so that’s where the idea to walk between those clubs came from.

“The BHF’s research has done so much to improve the treatment of children born with heart defects. That’s why I wanted to do this walk and raise some money for them so they can continue their really important research.”

Scott was accompanied on his walk by partner Kerri Woods. They completed the walk in just under five hours, crossing the unusually quiet Blackfriars Bridge and following the route of the Northern line. The couple have so far raised over £900 for the BHF.

Karl Coppack, BHF Fundraising Manager for South London, said: “It’s amazing to hear how far Scott has come since his operation and we are so grateful that he chose to raise funds for the BHF with this walk.

“The devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic means that the BHF’s investment in new research could fall by around £50 million this year. This research is entirely fuelled by the generous donations of the public, and that’s why we need their support now, more than ever.”

People can make a donation to Scott’s fundraising here.

Anyone interested in fundraising for the BHF can email coppackc@bhf.org.uk

Pictured top: Scott Humphrey outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in Islington, with partner Kerri Woods