Andy Harrowell hopes to raise funds and awareness as a tribute to the young mum and sporting star
Andy Harrowell pictured with his sister Natalie Harrowell(Image: supplied image)
The brother of a young Hull mum and inspirational women’s rugby league player, who tragically died in late 2019, is challenging himself to run his first half-marathon in her honour. Andy Harrowell is aiming to raise funds and awareness for a “little-known” charity that supports research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) – the condition that claimed the life of his sister, Natalie Harrowell.
The mum of one daughter and stepmum of another was only 29 when she suddenly passed away, leaving family, friends and the rugby league community bereft. Andy said it was later discovered that Natalie was suffering from sepsis-induced myocarditis.
He has entered the East Yorkshire Half-Marathon & 10K event, on June 21, against the backdrop of the stately Burton Constable Hall, which takes in the country lanes of West Newton and New Ellerby. Andy is running for Alexander Jansons Myocarditis UK and hopes to be wearing a running vest with the charity’s branding, and his sister’s face, emblazoned on it.
Andy said: “Shortly after my sister died – it was February 2020 – I started with chronic pains in my feet, where I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. It took about a year to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis [a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness].
“The doctor asked if anything trauma-related had happened.” Andy was told that in all likelihood, his body had gone into shock and it had reconfigured his system.
“The doctor said, ‘other than treatments, there is nothing we can do’. I am on medication for it now.
“Not being able to run or anything, my weight ballooned. Now I’ve managed to get to the point where I’m comfortable and I’ve lost the weight and I’m in remission.
“I used to be into sports but I hated running, I found it boring, but when I was diagnosed there was this thought that I might not be able to do that again. I don’t really know why I took it up but I got slightly into it and worked up to a 15K.
“When I’d done that, people said, ‘why don’t you enter a half-marathon?’, and I thought signing up for the East Yorkshire Half was maybe an opportunity to raise a little bit of awareness for the charity. I’ll see how my body holds out but it would be nice if I could go further and maybe a marathon.”
Andy said: “I’m looking forward to the event, it will be a challenge. I think it will be a great atmosphere.
“Before Natalie died, we’d never heard of myocarditis at all. It’s such a tricky thing to treat; that’s why it’s so crucial to do the tests early.
“Awareness around the condition is the main thing – it’s vital to have that early diagnosis – and the fact that this can happen to anybody of any age. A lot of young people are affected by it.
“Sharing the story is important as any donations, though they are an absolute bonus,” said Andy. “By starting out running to get healthy, I then started enjoying it.
“Doing my first 15K and being encouraged by people to try a half-marathon, I find myself in a good place and in a position to try and do something positive to help.”
Andy is fundraising via the GiveStar platform under the banner “Heal the Heart”. His page says: “Natalie Harrowell (1990–2019) was a prominent rugby league player for Featherstone Rovers women and the England national team.
“She was a key figure in the development of the women’s game, notably competing in the inaugural women’s super league grand final in 2017. She earned three caps for England, debuting in 2016 where she scored a try in a 36-6 victory.
“But away from rugby, she was my little sister. In December 2019 she passed away from sepsis-induced myocarditis, a condition driven by a complex inflammatory response that triggers myocardial depression, and her heart couldn’t cope, and neither could her families – our hearts shattered into a thousand pieces.
“Please join us to Heal the Heart and raise awareness of this condition and the importance of taking all the necessary steps needed for early diagnosis. Any donation will be greatly appreciated, and your support and generosity will keep me going on my first half-marathon.”
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