A MARATHON fundraising campaign has raised more than £4,500 in memory of a devoted family man.

In August, friends and family of Joe Hesp, of Crook, embarked on a challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation in his memory.

In the latest effort, work colleagues of Mr Hesp's widow, Susan, gathered at Crook Cricket Club to show their support for a sponsored head shave.

Amanda Lomax, who works with Mrs Hesp at Barbour, of Crook, volunteered to have her head shaved if she could raise £200 - and managed to bring in £335.

The amount was in addition to a cheque for £4,512.32, which Mrs Hesp handed over to heart foundation representatives.

Mrs Hesp said: "It was excellent.''

Mr Hesp died in December last year aged 46 after suffering from endocarditis, inflammation of the heart valve inner lining of the heart.

In a second blow, Mrs Hesp's father, Albany Dunn, 72, died due to a heart problem last month.

She said: "It has made us double the effort to raise money and we will continue. We have more events planned throughout the year."

Some of the money came from donations made at her father's funeral, and Mrs Hesp said she has been delighted with the support she has received.