A 108-year-old double heart attack survivor who raised more than £60,000 for the British Heart Foundation has died.
The charity said Joan Willett, from Hastings, was a “source of inspiration” during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she emulated the fundraising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore by walking 17 miles up and down a hill outside her care home to raise funds for the BHF.
The former teacher was inspired to begin fundraising after having bypass surgery and a heart valve replacement after her second heart attack when she was 82.
Willett was awarded a Prime Minister Points of Light Award and received a British Empire Medal for her efforts, as well as a special BHF Heart Hero Award, which was given to her virtually by the Duchess of York.
In a statement, the British Heart Foundation described Willett as “encapsulating the best of humanity.”
“We are eternally grateful to Joan for her fundraising, her willingness to talk about her connection to us, and for being such a bright spark during the pandemic period and beyond. Our thoughts are with all who knew her, especially her care home staff and residents.”
Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, said: “We are incredibly saddened to hear that Joan Willett has passed away.
“Joan was a source of inspiration for people across the country during the dark days of the pandemic. I was honoured to meet Joan and personally thank her for her exceptional efforts.
“She was a wonderful woman whose warmth and generosity left a huge impression on me and all of us at the BHF, and her indefatigable fundraising effort has left a lifesaving legacy. Our thoughts are with Joan’s many friends and loved ones.’’
The hill where Willett walked has subsequently been renamed Willett Way.