Doncaster mum's gruelling charity run for daughter with incurable heart condition
A Doncaster mum is to take on a gruelling charity run for her daughter with an incurable heart condition – and is looking for supporters to back her efforts for a Yorkshire charity.
Charlotte Whiteley, who is from Rossington, will be running from Ingoldmells on the East Coast to Worksop across two days to support her four year old daughter Floella.
The youngster was recently diagnosed with an incurable heart condition called Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM) – and Charlotte wants to raise funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund by tackling the 70 mile run.
HOCM is a genetic condition where the heart muscle becomes dangerously thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.
The thickening can obstruct blood flow and may cause breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting.
Tragically, HOCM is also one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in young people, often occurring with little or no warning.
Said Charlotte: “Our daughter will require lifelong specialist care, regular monitoring, and ongoing support.
“With this in mind, we want to highlight the incredible work of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund in Leeds.
"This amazing charity supports children with heart conditions and their families by funding lifesaving equipment, providing specialist training for medical teams, offering family accommodation close to the hospital, and delivering vital emotional and practical support during the most challenging times.”
In April 2025, Charlotte and friend Jessica Lane walked from Worksop to Skegness to raise awareness for mental health – and now she is repeating the feat – but by running the route.
Starting on April 17, she will be running the same distance over two days, this time starting in Ingoldmells and finishing in Worksop.
She added: “My goal is to help raise vital funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund – to help save children’s lives and support the families who need it most.
"I now understand firsthand the fear, pain, and uncertainty that families face when their child is diagnosed with a heart condition, and no family should have to navigate that journey alone.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will help support children like our daughter and the families who rely on this charity during the hardest moments of their lives.