A 12 hour darts marathon has raised hundreds of pounds for the British Heart Foundation as part of a fund raising drive in memory of a popular local boxer.

The darts event in Chatteris totalled £2,576 and will be added to money being raised by Melissa Earwaker who is cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia in memory of her grandad, a well known figure in the boxing community in the eastern region.

Melissa will be pedalling the 400km on an organised trek as a tribute to Matthew Payne, who was president of the Mid Anglian Boxing club and a regular timekeeper and bell ringer at fights across the area.

The darts marathon tally, held in the town’s working men’s club, will be added to the charity total and was organised by her step dad Stephen Parish.

Melissa said: “It went really well and raised so much as we had sponsorship as well as donations and a raffle during the event.”

The 26 year old admits she is not usually a cyclist.

“I can’t remember the last time I got on a bike. It’s going to be a big 10 day challenge for a charity that is close to my heart,” she said.

A clinical trials coordinator at Papworth Hospital, Melissa has set herself a target of £3,100 to reach before the event in November.

She added: “I have worked alongside many amazing clinicians and doctors at Papworth Hospital for the last five years.

“I’ve undoubtedly seen first hand the effects of cardiovascular disease on our population.

“It’s the people I’ve meet along my journey at Papworth and losing my grandfather to cardiovascular disease a few years ago that has spurred me on to raise money for others to continue their fight against it.”