Partner’s shock death spurs Moyra’s charity trek

Moyra Purves

A teacher is following her heart as she treks across Iceland . . . in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Moyra Purves teaches English to pupils in schools across Oldham. But the 52-year-old from Middleton will soon be swapping schoolbooks for hiking boots when she spends four days trekking in the land of fire and ice in July.

It was the sudden loss of her partner, Stephen Mears (56), last April that prompted her to rise to the charity challenge.

Miss Purves said: “Stephen’s death was totally unexpected.

“He hadn’t been feeling 100 per cent well for a week while we were on holiday but nothing he could put his finger on.

“He vowed to visit the doctor on his return but he suffered a heart attack on his way home from Mills Hill train station.”

A chance visit to a BHF shop just before Christmas was where Miss Purves spotted a poster for the fundraising Icelandic trek.

The four-day feat will see her walk through magnificent remote wilderness, face incredible lava fields, and camping out in a country where summer brings with it more than 20 hours of sunlight each day.

Miss Purves is hoping to raise more than £2,500 to help the charity’s fight against heart and circulatory disease, one of the country’s biggest killers.

She said: “Everybody has been affected or knows someone who has been affected by heart disease.

“My message is if you don’t feel well, don’t put off visiting your doctor.”

Miss Purves is also holding a fundraising jumble sale and fete at Horton Mill Primary School, South Link, Glodwick, at 3pm on Tuesday.

To sponsor her efforts call her on 07772 424 859 or visit her online sponsorship page on virginmoneygiving.com.