A WIFE who cycled 100 miles a day over 10 days has raised more than £12,000 for a cardiac unit.

Last July Rosie Hunter's husband, David, sent her a text message to say he was on his way to A&E at Colchester General Hospital.

Although it was a suspected heart attack, he has said "don't bother coming, all I need is half an aspirin".

After 10 days on the Dedham Ward he was able to return home fit and well.

To thank the unit, Rosie, from Elmstead Market, has raised more than £12,000. 

She said: "He had suffered a heart attack and without the wonderful NHS service and all it provides, his may have been a very different story."

As thanks to the Cardiac Unit she cycled from John O Groats in Scotland to Lands End, Cornwall in April.

She named the trip Born to Ride.

She said: "David is a fit and healthy man, in hindsight he had quite severe indigestion for about three days before.

"The morning he had the heart attack he had a very bad headache and went to the GP - they called an ambulance."

Her challenge was as much a mental one as it was physical, cycling from the furthest northern point of Great Britain to the furthest south.

She said: "I did a lot of training in the winter, through the really horrible weather, just putting in as many miles as I could so I was prepared.

"As a group there were no punctures or mechanical issues, which was extraordinary."

Her fundraising target was always £10,000 but she was still surprised to see that much had been raised.

She added: "It's overwhelming that so many people supported me and made it worthwhile, they were so generous."

Caroline Bates, head of fundraising for the Colchester Hospital Charity, was very grateful.

She said: "We were amazed when we realised how much Rosie had raised, cycling from John O Groats to Lands End is a fantastic achievement but to raise over £10,000 as well really is going the extra mile.

"We really appreciate her support for the Cardiac Unit."