Briton overcomes heart attack to cycle from Agra to Jaipur

A British adventurer who suffered a near-fatal heart attack, has completed a gruelling 390-km cycle ride from Agra to Jaipur and raised 7000 pounds for charity.
 
Gary Short, 41 is a Gloucestershire-based sales director, took on the challenge, jsut six months after he almost died of a heart attack and later had a stent fitted in one of his coronary arteries.
 
He embarked upon the five-day trip to raise money for the medical staffs who saved his life.
 
"It was a tough journey and we covered some rough terrain, dodging cows and navigating some rocky roads along the way. It was a tough workout, but the sights and smells of the country made it an unforgettable experience." he said after completing the journey.
 
"I was just pleased to be able to raise some money for heart charities and, after my experiences over the last year, plan to continue supporting them for the rest of my life."
 
The funds collected will be shared between The British Heart Foundation, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Tiny Tickers, and Heart UK.

Short told the local media in Gloucester, "I have always been fit and in many ways feel that the heart attack had no right to come about in the first place. But when something like that happens, you can do one of two things.
 
"You can either sit on the couch for the rest of your life, or get back up and running, and come back stronger for the experience."
 
Gary's wife Mandy, 38, said, "We are all really proud of what he's done. He's mega fit now and nobody knows what challenge he is thinking of taking on next."
 
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said, "There is no reason why people shouldn't carry on an active life after having a heart attack. In some cases, people become healthier than they were before."