A WOMAN whose father-in-law died from a cardiac arrest will swim to raise funds in his memory cheered on by her husband – who miraculously survived a cardiac arrest the same month.

Sarah Hennessey, a mum-of-two of Isaac Way, Droitwich, will join more than 1,000 swimmers for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Bournemouth Pier-to-Pier Swim on July 15.

Mrs Hennessey’s husband Mark, aged 44, survived a cardiac arrest – where the heart stops beating – but his father Edward died on August 29 last year, the day his son came out of critical care at Birmingham City Hospital.

Mrs Hennessey, who hopes to raise at least £1,000, signed up to the 1.4-mile swim to raise money for the BHF.

Mrs Hennessey, 39, an online marketing executive, said: “Mark’s heart attack was a real shock to us as he was only 43 and had just left work to go on his lunch break.

“His heart attack resulted in cardiac arrest but thanks to some amazing passers-by who gave him immediate CPR until the paramedics arrived and restarted his heart, he survived. He spent two weeks in an induced coma and suffered several complications.

“The odds of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are only three per cent, but Mark managed to pull through and is making a fantastic recovery.”

Mr Hennessey had 24-hour one-to-one care and his wife was told he may have suffered brain damage.

However, he has since made a full recovery, thanks to what Mrs Hennessey called the “fantastic critical care team”.

A doctor was passing by when Mr Hennessey had the cardiac arrest and was able to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived.

Mrs Hennessey said: “He was so lucky that doctor had been walking by.

"I chose to do this swim as my way of thanking people for what they have done.”

Their story is set to feature on channel 5’s Emergency Bikers, a programme about the frontline heroes of the West Midlands Ambulance Service biker paramedics.

The swim takes place between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers, with 1,200 swimmers taking part.

• Andrew Coles, of the BHF, said: “Sarah’s story shows how heart disease can affect all generations of a family and I hope this encourages others to sign up for the event to raise much-needed sponsorship.”

The BHF is asking participants to raise a minimum of £100 sponsorship.

To support Sarah, visit justgiving.com/Sarah-Hennessey

Registration for this event is strictly in advance only and is £20 for adults and £10 for children. For more information visit bhf.org.uk/pier2pier or call 0800 169 3672 or email westevents@bhf.org.uk