Blackburn Rovers Community Trust helping Bob look after his heart and move more.

“It was a shock to be told I have heart failure, and I have had to live with it ever since.”

Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder, Bob Gower, was diagnosed with heart failure when he was approaching the age of 50 in 2001, something he has now had to live with for more than 20 years.

Bob is now sharing his story to help inspire others living with long term health conditions in Blackburn with Darwen to move more too.

“It obviously came as a real shock as I had been physically active up until then,” admitted Bob. “I have a serious family history with heart failure, so it didn’t come as a surprise, but it still doesn’t take away the shock of receiving the news.

“Initially post-diagnosis, I was on medication and I had to be careful but I was able to carry on playing football, I cycled a lot and went hill walking with my wife, but gradually my heart was getting weaker and I became more breathless, so I was limited in what I could do.

“By 2016 I was unable to do any form of physical activity and my heart wasn’t even able to keep my body’s vital organs functioning, and because of this rapid decline and I was referred to Wythenshawe Hospital.

“I was told I needed a heart transplant and they are very hard to come by and at that point I was too ill and wouldn’t have survived the operation.

“They installed a left ventricular device (LVAD) which is a pump that goes into the heart to and assists the left ventricle to pump blood around the body.

“During the first year after surgery I had to regain physical strength and start being active again. The services provided by Royal Blackburn Hospital were excellent followed by expert support of the Refresh Team helped me rebuild my body and my confidence in my own ability.”

Bob and some other patients at Wythenshaw Hospital got electric bikes so they could increase their physical activity.

“Initially we started doing shorter rides and over the years we have increased as we have rebuilt our strength, fitness and confidence.

“Having an electric bike has been an absolute lifesaver for me and my fellow patients who are part of ‘The Electric Cranks’ cycling group from Wythenshaw. We couldn’t have done what we’ve done without them.

“We would have struggled on an orthodox bike and with this we can ride up big hills, which is a fantastic feeling.”

Bob’s story caught the attention of the ‘We Are Undefeatable in Blackburn with Darwen’ campaign team, which aims to support people living with a range of long term health conditions to be active in a way which works for them.

The national ‘We Are Undefeatable’ is developed by 15 leading health and social care charities and backed by expertise insight and significant National Lottery funding from Sport England. The local campaign is supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council and a range of other organisations, many who work closely with Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.

Bob continued: “I was delighted to be asked to be involved with the local ‘We are Undefeatable’ campaign. It’s for people like myself, who have encountered health or other challenges in their life, and find ways to overcome them through physical activity or some form of activity which gives them that sense of commitment, determination and satisfaction.

“When I think back to when I first started, everything seemed to be a challenge and I doubted my ability to do anything, and that’s where the support of organisations are important, and I couldn’t have done it on my own, without the support of family and friends.

“The nature of heart failure, it’s not as if you get a medical fix and then you get better and stay better, there are ups and downs along the road.

“Our group have faced and are facing significant challenges, so the value of groups such as ‘We Are Undefeatable and Be Active helps to build resilience so when people do encounter those challenges, you have the knowledge that you know you can overcome them.

Bob concluded by sharing his love for his beloved Blackburn Rovers and praised the club’s official charity for the work they do to support people of all ages in our community.

“Blackburn Rovers is an important part of my life, my son is also a season ticket holder and between us we’ve clocked up over 1,000 games following Rovers home and away.

“I’m really impressed at the work that Blackburn Rovers does in the community and the way they reach out to a whole range of people to help them with their personal and collective needs.

“I’m proud to be a supporter of Blackburn Rovers for those reasons.”