A GIRL from Petersfield cycled 400 miles to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation’s life-saving research in memory of her dad.

Eight-year-old Henrietta Knightley-Day took on the challenge to remember avid cyclist Toby Knightley-Day who died in 2017 after a sudden cardiac arrest.

He was cycling with a friend in Petersfield when his heart stopped pumping and he

collapsed.

Friends and paramedics attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation but he died at the scene aged 47.

“It all just happened so fast and came as such a shock,” said Rachel Hinett (46), Toby’s partner and Henrietta’s mum.

“Henrietta was only five years old at the time and it’s her who I feel most sorry for as she’s suffered the biggest loss.

“She was so close to her dad and they did everything together.

“Toby worked from home as a company director for an information technology business.

“He would take Henrietta to school and take her swimming.

“They were so similar and adored each other, so it’s just heartbreaking to know Henrietta will grow up without her dad.”

Toby was not known to have any health conditions but his father John died following a sudden cardiac arrest aged 39.

The family has supported the British Heart Foundation for several years.

Rachel and Toby had taken part in its London to Brighton Bike Ride to help raise money for the charity.

The coronavirus pandemic cancelled many of its 2020 fundraising events so Rachel and Henrietta came up with an idea to generate cash and celebrate Toby’s life.

Personal assistant Rachel said: “After lockdown was announced, we had been going on bike rides together and we thought we could set ourselves a challenge.

“We decided to set the task of cycling 400 miles to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

“Luckily the weather stayed glorious and we had the full support of our friends and family to help us get through.”

The challenge started in early April, with Rachel and Henrietta cycling 39 hours over a month.

Henrietta’s target was £200 but she has managed to raise more than £2,000 so far.

She said: “I set this challenge in memory of my daddy Toby to help support the British Heart Foundation when I saw that charities were struggling with funding due to the pandemic.

“It took a lot of commitment and determination to achieve it and at times I thought it might be impossible.

“I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I received from friends and anonymous donors.

“I’m delighted I was able to raise so much money for a charity which has been supported by our family before.”

British Heart Foundation fundraising manager William Ham said: “We’re delighted that Henrietta and Rachel chose to take on this very personal event in aid of the British Heart Foundation and we are so grateful for the money they have raised so far.

“Our life-saving research is fuelled by the generous donations of the public but the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic means that our investment in new research could fall by £50million this year.

“That’s why we need the support of the public to back the British Heart Foundation now, more than ever.”

To donate to Henrietta’s fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/henriettaknightleyday

To find out more about fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, call William Ham on 07766 440023 or email him at [email protected]