In 2024, Maia Wiggett was named a British Heart Foundation Young Hero for her fundraising efforts and bravery.
11-year-old Maia Wiggett, from St Neots, was born with a serious congenital heart condition and underwent open heart surgery at just six months’ old.
This summer, in her role as a BHF Young Hero, she visited the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI) in Cambridge the Institute to find out more about their work and to highlighter her role as this year’s Chariots of Fire Celebrity Starter.
We caught up with Maia during her visit.
How did you feel when you found out you’ve been chosen for the Chariots of Fire Celebrity Starter?
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
What are you most looking forward to about race day?
“Talking to some of the runners and finding out a bit more about why they’re running.”
What was your first impression when you arrived at the Institute today?
“The building looked really cool and I wanted to learn more about how their scientists are helping people with heart disease. The scientists helped me, and lots of others, so it’s good that they’re still doing research.”
BHF investment in heart research is helping to save the lives of thousands of people like Maia.
Thanks to their work, Maia is able to enjoy a wide range of hobbies and activities. She loves caring about animals (she has a miniature dachshund called Coco), reading and art. And her favourite colour is blue.
She also ran a 5K race with her mum in Hyde Park in London, and this summer went paddleboarding with her family.