A WOMAN whose best friend lost her brother and father to the heart disease cardiomyopathy, is running her first London Marathon to help the fight against it.
Kimberley Binns, from Barugh Lane, Barugh Green, is raising money for the charity Cardiomyopathy Association. She is running in memory of Robert and John Cooper, also from Barugh Green.
Robert, an avid Barnsley FC supporter, died four years ago aged 25 and his father died in 2012. They are the brother and father of Kimberley's best friend, Sarah O'Mara.
Kimberley, aged 31, said: "I'm running because I wanted to show my thanks to the Cardiomyopathy Association for the amazing support they provided to Sarah and her mother Susan. Every year Robert's family and friends find ways to raise money and keep their memory alive.
"Running the marathon is the ultimate challenge. So this is why I wanted to do it - to show my thanks and for Robert and John."
Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that affects people of all ages including babies. It usually runs in families, and is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in the under 35s.
Kimberley, who works in sales and marketing, hopes to raise more than £5,000.
Already she has raised £3,600 from a series of events including bucket collections at Barnsley Football Club and a charity night.
