Friends launch fundraising group for British Heart Foundation in memory of much-loved performer and governor

Andrew Woodings died at the age of just 54 last June. He was well known in Wakefield, where he performed in local pubs and clubs as a singer from his early 20s. He was a governor at Netherton Junior and Infant School and involved with the St Andrew’s Church. Andrew was also a member of Coxley Players, an amateur dramatic company in Netherton.

Following his death, friends of Andrew held two charity spin classes, with the event raising an incredible £2,755 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). It inspired the friends to form a new group which will help raise funds towards life saving research into heart and circulatory diseases.

The group is managed by Glenn Tyler, Anita Tyler and Kelly Fox and supported by family and friends.

Glenn said: “Setting up the group for Wakefield was the perfect fit to reach out to others about the work the BHF does and will be in memory of our great friend Andy. Andy was a great character and he was loved by everyone who met him. We are wanting to fundraise and raise awareness of a good cause to make a difference.”

The group will be organising fundraising spin-a-thons at their new gym, HQ Fitness, in Trinity Business Park.

In West Yorkshire alone, around 260,000 people are living with the daily burden of a heart or circulatory disease, leading to 480 deaths in the county each month.

Ellie Barker, fundraising manager at the BHF, said: “We’re delighted to see this new group form in Wakefield and can’t wait to see the exciting events they have planned.”

Anyone interested in joining the group should email barkere@bhf.org.uk