Mark Harbertson is an Assistant Manager at our Carlisle Furniture and Electrical Store. He began his journey with the BHF nine years ago, where he volunteered six days a week at our Byker store, before undertaking several paid roles, including Warehouse Assistant and Warehouse Supervisor.
Mark is very much enjoying his new role in Carlisle, which is bringing “new challenges and opportunities”. However, Mark’s passion for working at the BHF goes much deeper than just “feeling part of the furniture” in his day job. Every day Mark is inspired to give it his all because of his own personal connections to our cause.
Sadly, when Mark was only three years old, he lost his dad to coronary artery atheroma: a heart disease that narrows the arteries and limits the amount of oxygen-rich blood in the heart.
Mark, now thirty-four years old, shares how losing his dad at such a young age had a tremendous impact on shaping his life.
“Growing up was hard not doing what other father and sons were doing. I’d look at all the other kids with their dads and wish it was me. Of course, I got used to it, but even after thirty years, it’s still difficult.”
His dad’s passing left a huge hole in his life as he also missed out on knowing his dad’s side of the family. “I felt like I didn’t have any answers,” says Mark.
As well as losing his dad, Mark also has a two-year-old daughter, Melody, who has a heart murmur and subaortic ledge, a condition which means her aortic valve doesn’t open fully.
Mark was shocked at his daughter’s diagnosis. “Heart conditions aren’t always visible. My daughter runs around like all the other two-year-olds and does all the usual things two-year-olds do.”
At Melody’s next medical appointment, a couple weeks after her third birthday, Mark will find out if she requires heart surgery. “It’s really difficult not knowing what’s going to happen”, he says.
When Mark began volunteering, and then later, working, with the BHF, he knew that this was his opportunity to help support others who may be affected by heart and circulatory diseases.
“When I first saw the eight-week volunteering opportunity at the BHF, I thought to myself: ‘this is what I want!’ So, if you’re thinking about volunteering at the BHF, please give it a go as you really don’t know how much you’ll enjoy it until you give it a try.”
He continues, “Working for the BHF, I really feel like I’m making a difference. I love helping to raise funds in the shop and talking to customers who have been impacted by our research. It really puts a smile on my face knowing that in every hour, we’re raising money that will go towards saving a life.”
“Growing up without my dad, I know how difficult it is to go through losing someone to heart and circulatory disease. Now I know that each day, I’m making money for a charity that can save other families from the heartache, tears, and sadness that mine had”.
Thank you Mark for sharing your powerful story. If you haven’t yet signed up to volunteer, you can do so here.