Clayton-le-Woods dad completed his 'unfinished business' two years after collapsing at the Great Manchester 10k - and raises funds for Heartbeat
![Phil Reece, centre, with Michelle Lee and his son Tom as they ran the Great Manchester 10k for Heartbeat
Photo by Phil's daughter Stephanie](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_108530257.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Phil Reece, centre, with Michelle Lee and his son Tom as they ran the Great Manchester 10k for Heartbeat
Photo by Phil's daughter Stephanie](/img/placeholder.png)
Phil Reece, who said he had ‘unfinished business’ with the race, ran the whole 10k in one hour 23 minutes and 45 seconds, raising more than £1,000 for Heartbeat.
The course brought back memories for the 55-year-old from Clayton-le-Woods, as he collapsed near the finish line in 2017. He was saved by paramedics who used CPR and a defibrillator. He was taken to Manchester Royal Hospital where his heart was fitted with a metal valve and he was diagnosed with a bisuspid aortic valve.
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Hide AdPhil said: “I am very grateful to the paramedics that saved my life when I collapsed during the run back in 2017. I was so lucky they acted so quickly. I was aware that I had a defective valve, however had no idea I was putting myself at risk by running in the event.
![Phil Reece
Photo by Phil's daughter Stephanie](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_108530258.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Phil Reece
Photo by Phil's daughter Stephanie](/img/placeholder.png)
“I am so grateful to the surgeon Mr Bilal and all the medical staff at the MRI for their care through to recovery.”
After the collapse, Phil took on a 10-week NHS rehabilitation course and rebuilt his confidence and fitness with Heartbeat.
As a result, he was able to continue training and complete the 10k run.
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Hide AdThe father-of-four added: “A few things were running through my mind as I was running. When I got to the spot I collapsed last time, which was 400m from the end at Deansgate, , it was a nice feeling. I had got such a good response from sponsorship so I was determined to finish. Heartbeat has a great rehabilitation programme and one that is advanced so I can do things like this run. Heartbeat helped me get a personal closure and as a signpost that I am fit to take on these things. I am really pleased we raised so much for Heartbeat as it will benefit so many people.”
Sponsor Phil via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-reece1