A DORCHESTER man has completed a 37-mile walk along the Dorset coast in memory of his partner who died suddenly from a heart attack.

The 37-mile route commemorated the 37 years of Natalie Poole’s life with Damian Lo Cascio completing the walk yesterday (Saturday)

Damian walked from Tyneham Village to Burton Bradstock to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The 52 year old, who had two children from a previous relationship, will be joined on the walk by his 18-year-old son and three of Natalie’s friends.

The couple had been together for three years after meeting at a school play. Natalie, who was a mother with five daughters, was with a friend when she collapsed.

Damian said: “I was travelling back from London. I was only 30 minutes from home when I got a call from a friend to say that Natalie had been taken to hospital.

“I rushed straight there, but she had passed away by the time I arrived. I was left to tell her girls that their mum had died. I have never felt so alone or as helpless as in that moment.

“Natalie was honest, kind, and caring. She was always about truth, love and life. We wanted to travel the world and live on a farm together. She taught me that it is the simple things in life make the biggest difference, like telling someone you care about them.”

Natalie was not known to have any pre-existing health conditions, although her family does have a history of heart problems.

Damian said: “This walk will be very special as Natalie loved to travel along the coast and go camping. I hope to raise the money and awareness that can help push heart research forward and stop other families losing a loved one before their time.”

Damian is also working with the schools that Natalie’s children attend to take on a sponsored walking challenge in September.

In the UK, more than 160,000 people die each year because of heart and circulatory diseases. The BHF funds research into conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and vascular dementia, as well as their risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure.

People can support Damian’s fundraising online: giftofhope.bhf.org.uk/In-Memory/Natalie-Poole