A COUPLE who have both undergone major heart surgery are to take on a seven-mile walk to raise money for future heart disease patients.Kit and Barbara Carson, from Jubilee Crescent in Stowupland near Stowmarket, are taking part in a sponsored walk in aid of Papworth Hospital.

A COUPLE who have both undergone major heart surgery are to take on a seven-mile walk to raise money for future heart disease patients.

Kit and Barbara Carson, from Jubilee Crescent in Stowupland near Stowmarket, are taking part in a sponsored walk in aid of Papworth Hospital.

The couple have both been through life saving heart surgery in the last six years, with Mr Carson having a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 and his wife a triple in January this year. Mr Carson has joined the Lions, determined to work through them to raise funds to help others.

Mr Carson, 61, said: "I want to give something back, I don't want any accolades for doing the right thing, I just want to achieve something through the Lions.

"If there is anything I can do to prevent someone going through what I did, that is a bonus. My operation has given me five years I would not have had otherwise. I wake up thinking every day is a bonus.''

He added: "We want to invite members of the British Cardiac Patients Association "Zipper Club" and anyone who has been given life through surgery at Papworth, their families, friends, and dogs, to take part in this the inaugural walk, which will hopefully become an annual event.'

Mr and Mrs Carson, 62, are both keen to give something back and the "Inaugural Lions Club of Stowmarket and District and Friends Sponsored Footpath Walk" is set to take place on Sunday June 22. The starting point will be the Onehouse Shepherd & Dog pub, just outside Stowmarket, at 9am.

The route, a round trip to finish at the start point, will take walkers through some really lovely countryside scenery and will, with the exception of about 300 yards, be off road.

Each sponsored walker will receive a certificate as a memento of his or her day with a prize for the walker who achieves the most sponsorship, and to fund this there will be a registration fee of £1.50 per walker.

The entire amount raised will go to the Papworth Hospital Charitable Fund, set up for charitable purchases relating to Papworth Hospital and it's patients.

N For more information about the walk contact Mr Carson on 01449 674368.