A judo club raised £1,765 for a cardiac centre at a hospital in support of a member who suffers from a heart condition.

Carol Walker, who is part of the Iruka Judo Club in the church in Elfrida Road, Watford, wanted to give back to the clinic at Watford General Hospital for the “outstanding” treatment she has received over the last 15 years for her atrial fibrillation (AF) condition.

A father of one of the students at Iruka Judo Club, who was in his 40s, suffered from a heart attack and also wanted to support the West Herts Cardiac Centre which helped him to recover.

To raise money, Mrs Walker completed 30 sponsored walks and walked 870 miles throughout the year.

One of the walks ranged from Harefield Hospital to Watford General, which was especially important for Carol as she was treated for AF at both hospitals.

She also enlisted the help of her husband Barry and also students at the club.

The students held a sponsored throw – raising money for every throw achieved by an individual in a minute.

Mrs Walker said: “Friends and I have received excellent care from the cardiac centre at Watford General over the years and we wanted to say a small thank you by making a donation towards buying new equipment.

“Our thanks to everyone at Iruka Judo Club, JPS Pluming, Renteq, and the Pizzey family for their fundraising and donations. The money raised - £1,765 – was just a small token of our appreciation of the dedication of the staff.”

Mr Walker added: “We’re a small local judo club which has been established for 22 years. The aim of the club is to promote judo, but at the same time to have fun while getting fit.”