AWARDS have been presented to energetic volunteers who have raised cash for the British Heart Foundation. Among the winners was a St Ives man who won a bicycle from the charity, after the 25-mile sponsored cycle ride in September, but declined the prize

AWARDS have been presented to energetic volunteers who have raised cash for the British Heart Foundation.

Among the winners was a St Ives man who won a bicycle from the charity, after the 25-mile sponsored cycle ride in September, but declined the prize so the charity could re-invest the cash.

Previously the local BHF group has presented a new bike, donated by local businesses, to the entrant who has raised the most sponsor money. Unfortunately, last year they were unable to secure a donated bicycle, leaving the charity to pay for the prize out of their own funds.

On hearing this, winner Colin Smith, who raised £130 on the bike ride, refused to let the charity part with its funds.

Mr Smith said: "When I found out that the British Heart Foundation would have had to pay for the bike out of their own money I knew that I couldn't accept it - it just wouldn't have felt right.

"I took part for two reasons only - because I enjoy cycling and wanted to raise money for the British Heart Foundation."

However, Mr Smith did collect a certificate at the awards evening for his fund-raising success - though he could not ride to the event due to a fractured foot.

Prize-winning participants from the British Heart Foundation's two fund-raisers - the sponsored bike ride and the 74 people who took part in the sponsored swim in October received their awards at the Annual Presentation Evening at St Ivo Leisure Centre.

Winners included St Ivo School for the secondary school which raised the most money collectively and Thorndown Junior School in St Ives as the primary school which raised the most.

The oldest swimmer and the participant to raise the most funds was again Mr Wright, 63, from St Ives, who raised £100. The youngest swimmer was Connor Strong aged three. Connor also won the youngest swimmer award in 2004.

St Ivo pupil Natasha Clampin was the junior swimmer who raised the most cash, swimming for her school and bringing in £105.

Together, the fund-raising events made £1,838 for the Huntingdon and District British Heart Foundation, paying for seven new defibrillators for use in the local leisure centres and Hinchingbrooke Country Park, as well as training staff.

INFORMATION: The BHF's Sponsored Spring Walk takes place on Sunday, April 9. Entrants can choose a six or eight mile route, starting from Copley Scout Hut in St Ives at 10.30am. Individuals and business teams are invited to join in. There are shields for the person raising most money and for the business team raising the most money. Registration forms are available from St Ives and Huntingdon Leisure Centres and Richardsons Cycles, St Ives, or contact Jean Chandler on 01480 469557. The first 50 people to register for the walk will receive a step counter.