British Heart Foundation pays tribute to 104-year-old woman who raised £50,000

Care home resident walks 17 miles in support of charity

A 104-year-old woman has been honoured by the British Heart Foundation after raising more than £50,000 for the charity by walking 17 miles up and down the hill outside her care home.

Joan Willet aimed to raise £500 with her efforts at her care home in Hastings, East Sussex, after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, who walked 100 laps of his garden to mark his 100th birthday earlier this year.

The British Heart Foundation has celebrated Ms Willet raising more than 100 times her target with special posters in its 750 newly-reopened shops nationwide.

“Joan's incredible efforts will help us fund more life saving research into heart and circulatory diseases,” the charity tweeted.

Mrs Willet, a former teacher, had life-saving valve replacement surgery after a second heart attack when she was 82.

Since then, she has worked to keep herself fit by walking up and down a steep hill near the home where she has lived for more than two decades.

Dozens gathered by the hill on Ms Willet's birthday to see her complete her challenge, presenting her with gifts, flowers, cards and cake to celebrate.

“When I was 82 years old, I suffered my second heart attack which meant I needed a double heart bypass and a new synthetic valve," she said.

"I am so grateful to the BHF and its research that made operations like mine possible."

She added that she would continue to walk up and down the hill for her own fitness.

The British Heart Foundation also presented Ms Willet with an engraving on its Heart of Steel sculpture in Sheffield.

Earlier this month, Sir Tom received a knighthood from the Queen in her first in-person official engagement since the UK’s lockdown began, in honour of his efforts raising almost £33m for NHS Charities Together.

The Second World War veteran will also be releasing an autobiography this year in support of his new charity, the Captain Tom Foundation.

Additional reporting by PA