THE Goody family’s lives changed forever on the day their mum Kath had a heart attack.

Mrs Goody was 66 and was healthy but went to the doctor’s surgery in Elmstead Market feeling unwell.

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance arrived but the grandmother died before medics could fly her to hospital in Basildon.

Eighteen months on from the tragedy, her two children, twins Suzanne Howlett and Mark Goody, 42, will take on a 50-mile ultra marathon in memory of her and to raise money for the team which flew to her aid.

Gazette:

Kath Goody died of a heart attack last March

Suzanne, of Elmstead Market, said: “It was completely out of the blue. The air ambulance team tried to save her but she never left the surgery.

“They tried their best and that’s why we wanted to do something in her memory and for that charity.

“It’s hard getting over something like that. I’m still finding it hard but the marathon has given us something to focus on.

“We’ve always been a close family and were my mum’s world so I know she’d be really proud of us.”

The plan is for Porsche Centre principal Mark to run from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance headquarters in Earls Colne to his workplace in Hatfield on September 9.

Although the Colchester dad is a seasoned runner, he will be joined by supporters on each leg and his sister for the last portion.

Their dad Barry, 68, will shuttle participants to and from the starting points.

Gazette:

Twins Suzanne and Mark will cross the finish line together

She said: “Sarah, the coach at my running club, is doing the first leg because she can keep pace with Mark, and there will at least be someone with him at all times.

Suzanne said: “I’m looking forward to crossing the finish together, but he’s quick so I reckon towards the end he’ll need more support as he slows down.

“Neither of us are elite runners but we both have the bug.

“I’ve been running for four years and did my first London Marathon seven weeks after my mum passed away. Mark did his first in 2004.”

A Porsche fundraising event to back the twins featuring a new car unveiling, tours of the site and prestigious raffle prizes which sold for £600, is likely to have raised thousands of pounds.

Their goal is to donate £8,000 for the life-saving service run solely on donations.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/kathgoodyultra to contribute.