A WINSFORD woman has raised enough money to hold a heart screening day in memory of her brother, who collapsed while playing for Whitegate FC last year and later died.

Katie Bridges, whose brother Mike Clarke died in hospital on September 11, 2015, started fundraising in February and has already raised enough money to fund a Cardiac Risk in the Young screening day.

The money - £5,000 of which is core funding to ensure future events can take place – will allow 100 14 to 35-year-olds to get free screenings, which could detect underlying heart conditions.

A charity walk, held on the first anniversary of Mike’s death from the Plough Inn, raised more than £1,200 to push the total over the line.

Since February, the Plough has also hosted events including Race Night and a 5-a-side football tournament, which both raised more than £1,000 each.

Katie said: “I just can't thank every single person enough who has supported me along the way.

“I plan on arranging more for the future as I hear of more and more stories about young people losing their lives to un-diagnosed heart conditions.

“Keeping Mike's memory alive reminds me of why it is so important, as I wouldn't like any other family to go through what we went through.

“With the walk being on Mike’s anniversary, it was always going to be a hard day, but to share it with family and friends made it much easier. The generosity of people is absolutely amazing

Twelve people in the UK die each day with underlying heart conditions, and Katie says her brother’s could have been treated had he been screened.

The process is painless, non-invasive, and takes around 10 minutes. On average, anywhere between six and 12 people from every 100 are diagnosed after being screened.

Nigel Durose, one of Mike’s former teammates, said of the walk: “A lot of Mike’s family were there and they all got on board. Some people put a few pounds in, some put 10 or 20.

“That’s how it was on the day – everyone sharing stories and meeting new people. It was really nice and a big turnout.”