A FUNDRAISING mission in memory of a Lymm man who died earlier this year has raised more than £900.

This year’s Festival Trail Races, held in July, collected £915.51 for the British Heart Foundation in memory of Paul Crouch.

Paul died suddenly in May and his widow Debbie, who was one of the founding members of Lymm Runners in 2010, took part in the 5k on the day along with daughter Emily and friends.

Earlier this month, the group presented the money to Leah Goodhind, fundraising manager of the BHF.

Trail race director, Katy O’Connor, said: “Lymm Runners has been organising the Festival Trail Races for seven years and this year’s event was the best yet with more than 500 runners of all ages taking part.

“As a local running club we were delighted to pledge a donation to BHF on behalf of us all and it was very special to see Debbie and her daughter Emily taking part in the 5k Race with their friends in memory of Paul."

Leah Goodhind, from the BHF, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Lymm Runners for their support.

“Without our wonderful supporters the British Heart Foundation simply couldn’t fund its lifesaving research.

“There are currently more than 100,000 people in the Cheshire area living with heart and circulatory disease and so the money raised by Lymm Runners will go on to help us beat heartbreak forever for all of those people."

And Debbie thanked Lymm Runners for choosing BHF for support.

She added: “I feel absolutely humbled but delighted that Lymm Runners choose to support the British Heart Foundation following the sudden death of my husband, Paul. Paul was always willing to support me as a volunteer with Lymm Runners and it was a lovely tribute in his honour.

“My daughter, Emily and her friends, all aged 13, completed the 5k trail run and it was a great way to spread the message to the young people.

“Thank you Lymm Runners.”

Lymm Runners meets outside the leisure centre on Thursdays at 7pm, and outside the library on Sundays at 8.30am and Wednesdays at 9.15am.

The club was formed in 2010 and now has more than 300 members.

It is the only running club in the village.

  •  For more information visit lymmrunners.org.uk