My husband died in my arms: help stop others suffering like he did

Jo Powell has spoken of the tragic moment Tim died in her arms in the hope that others will be inspired to help people suffering from heart failure.

Jo and Tim, who got together when they were 16, had arrived home from a road trip one evening last year when Tim began complaining of chest pain.

The mother-of-three said: “Tim and I were just chatting about the day when he collapsed into my arms.

“He didn’t clutch his chest or stagger around he just died where he stood.

“Within ten minutes our house was full of medics and Tim was rushed to hospital, but I knew he had died. Our three girls Rachel, Alice and Ellie were in the middle of their GCSEs, A-levels and University exams at the time and I know he would have been unbelievably proud of their great results.”

Jo said she can now see there were signs that Tim was suffering heart failure – he was often tired, had a constant ache in his left shoulder and a grey pallor.

A suspected heart attack the September before was ruled out by doctors as being deferred pain from a slipped disc that was never followed up, and when Tim asked for a cholesterol test he was told he was too young.

When the Dorset bike ride was cancelled last month due to wet weather, Jo decided to go ahead and do it anyway with her sister Lisa Woolf, nine-year-old niece Jenny Woolf and 11-year-old nephew Owen Woolf.

Jo is urging people to sign up for the new date on Sunday, June 17 and take part in the 25, 50 or 66-mile ride from QE School in Wimborne.

She said: “The bike ride was a real challenge for me but I wanted to do something to celebrate Tim’s life.”

Entry is £15 per adult and £7.50 for children. Registration is available on the day for a slightly higher fee.

For more information about the British Heart Foundation’s Dorset bike ride, call 0800 1693672 or email northwestwales@bhf .org.uk or visit the website bhf.org.uk/dorset