Aston Martin driver, Paul Dilley, says thank you with marathon run

Paul Dilley is a long-standing customer of Aston Martin Reading. However, it’s not just his recent collection of a V12 Vantage, limited to just 333 examples, that will prove a significant moment for Paul this year.

On Sunday, 2nd October, Paul will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, a cause with which he has a very special connection.

Back in 2018, Paul suffered a ‘widow-maker’ heart attack, so-called for its severity, during a round of golf in Woburn. During his round, Paul felt short of breath and faint, prompting him to call 999. When the Thames Valley Air Ambulance crew arrived, Paul was given 13 defibrillator shocks and placed in an induced coma.

Fortunately, Paul went on to make a full recovery, thanks to the timely intervention by the medical team. Dr Chloe Spence and paramedic Jo Meadham, who both attended Paul and administered the life-saving medical attention, described it as the “toughest cardiac incident we’ve ever attended”.

Having experienced first-hand the amazing work of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Paul decided to run this year’s London Marathon to support the vital work they do.

Reflecting on his decision to run the marathon, Paul said: “Without this specialist emergency care, I would not be alive today. I am running the London Marathon for Thames Valley Air Ambulance to say a heartfelt thank you for saving my life, but also raising funds so they can continue to save many others who need their help every day.”

Paul’s journey is truly outstanding; ‘widow-maker’ heart attacks have a survival rate of less than 5% as one of the key arteries in the heart is totally blocked. However, thanks to the quick response, expertise and professionalism of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance team that helped him that day, Paul is now able to take on a monumental challenge that will raise much-needed support and awareness for a very worthy cause.

To learn more about Paul and his marathon journey, please visit his Just Giving page.