A PASSIONATE fundraiser from Cricklade has been inspired to raise nearly £10,000 for a cause close to her heart.

Sarah Standing’s father Wally worked in the ambulance service for nearly 25 years, but died of a heart attack in June 1996 at the age of 55, shortly before he was due to receive his long service medal.

Twenty years on and Sarah is fundraising in her father’s name with her friend Laura, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

“We decided to call ourselves ‘Be Involved – A Year of Fundraising’, with the aim to put on different events, to get different people involved,” Sarah explained.

“Our first [event] was a 40-mile walk along the Ridgeway. It was a long and painful day but we unexpectedly raised over £2,000, which was £500 short of our target for the year. So, we doubled the target to £5,000.

“Now, after our other events including Christmas Crafts, a barn dance, a quiz night and most recently our 60 mile cycle ride from Bath to Newbury, we are looking at having raised over £8,000.”

Sarah currently works as fundraising manager for the British Heart Foundation in Gloucestershire, a job she says wouldn’t have been possible without her year of fundraising inspired by her father.

“Twenty years after his death I really feel that dad played a part in this incredible new direction I am heading in,” she said.

“I noticed a job as a fundraising manager for the Gloucestershire area and after being a teacher for 10 years really felt as if this might be a really exciting career change for me.

“Whilst I have many transferable skills, being considered for this job would not have been possible without our year of fundraising.”

For more information on the Be Involved campaign visit lastinghope.bhf.org.uk/be-involved

The British Heart Foundation is a charity that funds research into improving treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The charity urgently need the support of more people like Sarah and there are lots of ways to get involved.

If anyone would like to find out more about organising their own fundraising event for the British Heart Foundation, or are interested in volunteering, they can call Sarah on 07471 902450. For more information visit bhf.org.uk