Have a heart this Christmas
21st November 2024
Being prepared for serious and unexpected incidents was a way of life for George Cook as he rose through the ranks and became chief officer with the Essex Police Special Constabulary.
During his 47 years of distinguished service, he attended many incidents ranging from a highjacked aircraft at Stansted Airport, murders and serious and fatal road accidents, but suffering a heart attack in June was something he was not expecting.
George, 79, who lives in Southend, where he was born and bred, was so delighted with the treatment he received that he has pledged his support for the Essex Heart Fund, to help other patients in the county.
“My heart attack, which happened at home, was completely unexpected,” said George. “Although I have had other health issues, I didn’t have any history of heart problems. I called an ambulance when I realised that what I was experiencing was more than just indigestion.
“Following excellent treatment from the ambulance service I was taken on ‘blues and twos’ to Basildon Hospital’s heart unit. I was amazed by the speed with which I was assessed and treated.
“I was lucky that a major artery was not involved, but it was still a heart attack, which was treated by the insertion of a balloon. From arrival at the heart unit to being back on the ward after successful treatment, was approximately three hours and I was able to go home two days later.
“My attitude is that you have to get on with life and I am doing my best to stay fit and active, with an exercise regime every day, including a two-to-three-mile walk.
“The treatment I had from Dr Thomas Keeble and his team at the heart unit at Basildon Hospital was world class, which is why I am supporting the Essex Heart Fund. I want the people of Essex to be more aware of the fund and how it can help heart patients and their families.”
George combined a career in merchant banking, shipping, charity work and the public sector at executive level, with the outstanding service he gave to the Special Constabulary in Essex.
“Having a full-time paid job and also a demanding role within the Special Constabulary often meant that my social life suffered,” he said.
“I was fortunate to have understanding girlfriends and to have employers who allowed me time off to carry out police work. When I reached the age of 60 in 2005, I decided to take early retirement from my paid job to devote my time to the increasing demands of directing the Special Constabulary in Essex, whose numbers at that time were approaching 600. I also founded the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers and in the last two years of my service I spent the majority of my time on national issues.”
George was made an MBE in 2002 for services to the police and charity. He now wants to spread the word about the Essex Heart Fund and, as well as giving his personal support to the cause, says he is willing to give talks to local groups about his experience following his heart attack.
The Essex Heart Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation, was launched in 2020 by renowned consultant cardiologists, Dr Gerald Clesham and Dr Thomas Keeble, along with charity specialist Fred Heddell.
Dr Clesham and Dr Keeble both work at hospitals in Essex, including Basildon Hospital and Fred has
wide experience of the charity sector in the county.
They developed the idea for a new charity in Essex with the aim of meeting the needs of Essex heart patients and their families and bringing major improvements to their lives.
Dr Clesham said: “Heart conditions are still the commonest causes of premature death and are a major cause of disability. Our cardiac services here in Essex serve a population of about 1.8 million people and we are fortunate to have the internationally-recognised Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon, along with some great work going on in our other hospitals the county.
“Money donated to the Essex Heart Fund is spent solely in the county, on community services and support groups for patients and their families, the development of new hospital-based clinical services and to support local cardiovascular education and research.”
The Fund has already awarded grants totalling nearly £15,000. The latest grant of £3,580 has enabled the purchase of a bedside lung function assessment device to monitor a patient’s vital signs while they are undergoing a TAVI (Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation) procedure. This is particularly helpful for patients experiencing aortic stenosis which is when the aortic value in the heart has become narrowed. This is usually caused by a build-up of calcium deposits on the valve over the course of a lifetime.
The assessment device will help improve efficiency and decrease waiting list times at the Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon.
Other grants from the Essex Heart Fund include support for:
- the Tickers Cardiac Support Group to help provide cardiac fitness training for heart attack survivors at a venue in Chelmsford.
- a training defibrillator for Essex Community First Aid, whose volunteers give first aid cover at community events across Essex.
- the installation of defibrillators at Essex locations, in former telephone kiosks in Terling, Fairstead and Audley End and a bowling club in Thurrock.
- a heated defibrillator cabinet for the three villages of Little Yeldham, Tilbury-Juxta-Clare and Ovington Parish Council.
- the Saffron Walden Community Shed to buy a defibrillator for use by them and the local area.
- to provide counselling for individuals impacted by Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Basildon
Did you know?
- Heart conditions are still the commonest causes of premature death
- 7,500 heart procedures are performed every year at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre
- In Essex someone dies of heart disease every two hours
- 20,000 people in Essex have heart failure
Support the Essex Heart Fund
It is easy to make a donation and lots of ways that you can give support:
- Donate online via essexheartfund.org.uk
- Include EHF in your will
- Choose EHF as your charity to support if you take part in a fundraising event or nominate EHF as your corporate charity of the year.
- Organise an event in aid of EHF
Main photo: The Seniors section at Burnham on Crouch golf Club was pleased to raise money for the Essex Heart Fund during the club’s centenary year with Bryan Lorimer, Seniors captain (left) and James Smyth, vice captain (right) holding the banner, alongside members of the club.