A KIDDERMINSTER woman is raising money for a charity which provides support to families affected by cardiomyopathy.

Claire Wass, alongside her friend and fitness instructor Toni-Jayne Bouncer, will hold a Fitstepathaon on Saturday, October 4 in aid of the Cardiomyopathy Association (CMA).

She chose to hold the event due to her husband, 55-year-old Jim Wass, suffering from the heart muscle disease since January 2002.

“It will be a great way of bringing support and money to the association,” she said.

“CMA helps many people so much, but as well as raising money we also hope to raise awareness for the cause too.”

Earlier this month, Jim spent seven days in the Intensive Care Unit at New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, after undergoing heart valve surgery.

Since he returned home, Jim now relies on the Community Health Team in Wyre Forest as well as a British Heart Foundation heart failure nurse to support his care.

It was due to attending a CMA information day in February this year that Claire and Jim knew what questions to ask their consultant to help his condition.

Claire said: “Life is like a rollercoaster ride at present for Jim, myself and our children, Patrick and Samantha.

“However, we have all received a massive amount of support and information from CMA and without their help we wouldn’t have known how serious a situation he was in.

“I cannot fault the support from the association by giving us people we can talk to.”

The event, which takes place at Kidderminster Baptist Church between 11am and 1pm, will see Toni-Jayne lead a sponsored FitSteps class.

FitSteps, based around the BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing, mixes the steps of Ballroom and Latin dances to create a fun, energetic and effective way to stay fit.

Claire, who is also a Zumba instructor, said Toni-Jayne and the other members of the FitSteps class have given her a lot of support and help.

“A few years ago I became a close friend of Toni-Jayne’s and she has given me great support in my journey,” she said.

“The whole group think it will be a great way for us to give something back to the charity.”

Tickets to the event, which will feature a fundraising raffle, cost £5 per person and sponsorship forms are available.

Registration will take place at 10.30am, where refreshments and free parking will be available.

For more information contact Claire Wass on 07891 742817 or Toni-Jayne Bouncer on 07748 910271.

To make a donation to the cause visit justgiving.com/theCMAfitstepathon