Crickhowell’s Ruth Cornish is marking her 60th birthday with a year of fundraising challenges for the North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation and Aftercare Charity.

A former Registered General Nurse originally from Bristol, Ruth has set herself a target of completing six activities to support the charity, which runs weekly Cardiac Rehab Exercise Classes for people with cardiovascular conditions.

Her inspiration comes from her husband, John, who attended similar classes in Lancashire after experiencing two cardiac events two years ago.

“Those classes really helped him regain his fitness and confidence so he could get back to enjoying his twin passions of running and cycling,” said Ruth.

Ruth, who is also an experienced massage therapist, will launch her fundraising year with a “pop-up” Massage Day on Sunday, March 1, from 10am to 4pm at the Wellness Room on Standard Street, Crickhowell. She will offer 30-minute massages in return for donations, combining deep tissue, Indian head massage, and Reiki.

“My aim with any client is to provide healing massage at a pace and pressure to suit the individual,” she said.

Six slots are available on the day, booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments can be made via her Rowan Massage Facebook page or by calling 07861 684142.

Ruth’s fundraising year will also include the charity’s annual Potato Growing Challenge from March to July, run-walking the South Wales Three Peaks Trial route of Blorenge, Sugarloaf and Skirrid in late April or early May, and competing in the Clayton Shorthouse Memorial Sprint Triathlon in Ebbw Vale on August 30.

Supporters can follow Ruth’s progress and donate via her JustGiving page, which can be found online at: www.justgiving.com/page/ruth-cornish-massage-day

Details of the charity’s classes and self-referral options are available at cardiac-rehab.org.uk or by calling 07856 692 148.