A HUSBAND devastated by the sudden death of his wife 10 years ago is continuing to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Paul Lewis, from Grappenhall, and his family are carrying on the fight against heart disease by completing an annual walk in memory of his wife, Dion.

The family has been holding the walk for 10 years and they have now raised £10,000 to fund the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) lifesaving research.

Dion died on January 17, 2009, aged 37, due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

She was a happy young woman who was full of life and well-liked by friends and colleagues in her job at Warrington Borough Council.

Dion loved to travel but enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her husband Paul, her two sons, Jenson and Hayden, and the rest of her family.

Heart and circulatory disease is responsible for more than 480 deaths each year in Warrington.

There are currently about 21,600 people in the area suffering with the disease.

Through the public’s generosity, the BHF will fund half a billion pounds of new research during the next five years, which will be central to discovering vital treatments for people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

Paul and his family will be holding this year’s 10 mile walk on Saturday, May 11, starting in Runcorn before finishing at the Ferry Tavern Pub in Station Road, in Penketh.

Paul said: "Dion's dad, Dave Johnson, suggested we do a yearly walk to keep her memory alive and we chose to support the BHF because we found out how many young people die from undiagnosed heart conditions, just like Dion.

"If we can stop just one family from going through what we've been through by providing money for research into the reasons why and preventions, we would be so proud that it was done in Dion's name."

Leah Goodhind, BHF fundraising manager for Cheshire, said: "We never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary ways people like Paul and his family fundraise for the BHF.

"This family are a true inspiration and their support will mean we can carry on funding lifesaving research to try and ensure that other families don’t go through what Paul and his family have been through.

"I love the fact this is a real family led event!"

To support the family, you can visit their Justgiving page.