A HEART patient is beating the odds by walking more than 120 miles to raise money for the Southampton charity that treated him.

Matthew Cornick, 27, set himself the challenge to walk 122.2 miles during lockdown for Wessex Heartbeat – raising vital money and awareness for the charity which took care of him during ten open-heart surgeries and numerous other procedures.

The 122.2 miles is the exact mileage from his home in Dorset to Wessex Heartbeat’s Heartbeat House, the 25-bedroom home-from-home which serves the families of those undergoing treatment at Southampton’s Cardiac Centre.

Matthew said: “I set myself this challenge as a way to give thanks to Wessex Heartbeat. My family has stayed at Heartbeat House on numerous occasions while I have had my surgeries and it served as a lifeline for us all.

“Knowing that there are so many families in the same situation as mine, I thought what better way to spend lockdown than to raise money for this important charity.”

Matthew was born with Aortic Stenosis which eventually led to him needing replacement Aortic and Mitral valves.

Due to complications during surgery he is now fully pace dependent and has a pacemaker fitted.

Matthew has now been stable for over ten years, and the replacement valves and repairs are all doing well meaning that Matthew can lead a more normal life.

Inspired by Matthew’s story, Wessex Heartbeat is calling on the people of Southampton to take part in their very own “Walk to Heart Health” fundraiser.

John Munro, chief executive of Wessex Heartbeat, said: “We are always honoured to see our very own cardiac patients coming up with new ways to raise money for the charity and we couldn’t be more proud of Matthew.

“To take part in the Walk to Heart Health fundraiser we are asking Southampton residents to walk the distance it would take between their home and Heartbeat House.

“Not only is this a fantastic way to raise money for the charity but is a fantastic low-impact cardiac exercise which will help keep your heart healthy.”

To donate to Matthew, please visit www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Cornick1.