A runner from Cheshire is taking on a trio of runs in memory of her late mum who passed away last year.

Chester-native, Jenny Stephenson, 29, is entering the challenging Chester Triple to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and honour her mum, Sandra, who died aged 57 in April last year.

Sandra went to the hospital after experiencing chest pain but passed away from cardiac arrest while waiting for a cardiologist's appointment.

Ms Stephenson said: "I was working and typing away at my desk when my dad rang.

"I didn’t believe him at first.

Chester and District Standard: Jenny Stephenson has done one part of the challenge so far

"I’d only spoken to my mum the day before.

"It was so unexpected and devastating.

"Mum worked at the library at Neston and was hoping to retire at 60. She had so many plans for the future, and she was excited about being able to relax, travel, and enjoy time with her family and friends.

“I think we stayed in shock for a long time.

"It’s been a year now, but we’re still working through it, and getting used to a new normal."

Ms Stephenson recalled her mother's role in their family, saying: "My mum was very much the centre of our family.

"She loved socialising and organising our birthdays and Christmas.

"To lose her was massive.

"We spend a lot of time together as a family now, but she can’t be replaced. She was the sunshine in our lives.”

Following the funeral, the family fundraised for two of Sandra's favourite charities through donations.

Months later, Ms Stephenson felt a pull towards supporting the BHF.

She said: “I was thinking about mum, and I wanted to raise money for a charity that was tackling the cause of her death.

"In the past, mum and I used to occasionally run down the Chester Canal to try and stay active together, so that gave me the idea of doing the Chester Triple.

"It seemed like it would be a really big challenge for me to take on.”

The Chester Triple comprises a 10k run, a half-marathon, and either a marathon or metric marathon.

Ms Stephenson has already completed the first task and is preparing for her first half-marathon.

She said: “It’s a bit daunting as I’ve never run that far before, but the 10k has given me the confidence I can do it.

"So many people have already donated to the fundraiser and that is motivating me to stick with the training.

"I’m not bothered what my time is.

"What’s important to me is supporting the BHF’s research.

"With more knowledge and treatments, we might be able to stop what happened to my mum.”

The BHF's work is crucial, as heart and circulatory diseases lead to more than 170,000 deaths annually in the UK.

The charity conducts research into cardiovascular conditions and their risk factors.

Leah Wood, BHF fundraising manager for Cheshire, was touched by Jenny's ordeal.

She said: "Too many families go through the pain of losing loved ones before their time because of heart and circulatory diseases.

"By completing the Chester Triple, Jenny will be helping to fund research that can turn scientists’ ideas into new treatments that can keep families together longer.

"Good luck Jenny, I’m sure your mum would be proud of you.”