A woman is set to take on a 96-mile charity walk to raise £12,000 for a life-saving medical device.

Tania Cheale, from Reading, is embarking on the challenge to fund a LUCAS 3 chest compression system for the South Central Ambulance Charity.

Her husband, Richard Cheale, suffered a cardiac arrest in April 2023, where the same device was placed on him so that chest compressions could continue automatically as the team sped to hospital.

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Mr Cheale said: "I woke up with chest pains and, believing it was indigestion, headed downstairs only to collapse on the kitchen floor.

"Tania immediately dialled 999, started CPR and continued giving me chest compressions until the ambulance service arrived and took over."

The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) team managed to restart his heart using a defibrillator, but he remained critically ill, and during the transit the LUCAS device was placed.

Mr Cheale spent three days in intensive care and two weeks in hospital before being discharged.

When the couple met some of the SCAS team in February, they learned that not all ambulances are equipped with a LUCAS device.

Mrs Cheale said: "Without this device, Richard might not have survived and so we decided we wanted to do something to help the South Central Ambulance Charity purchase another LUCAS 3 machine to give more people the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest."

Mrs Cheale will set off from Bristol on Wednesday, October 16, which is also Restart a Heart Day, and will follow the Kennet & Avon Canal, finishing at The Cunning Man at Burghfield Bridge on Saturday, October 19.

The walk can take five days to complete, but Mrs Cheale has challenged herself to complete it in three-and-a-half.

Mr Cheale, who suffered a hypoxic brain injury following his cardiac arrest that affects his stamina and energy levels, is aiming to join his wife for two hours each day on the walk.

Vanessa Casey, chief executive at the charity, said: "This is a truly inspiring story of how learning CPR really does save lives.

"Tania and Richard are now championing the benefits of learning CPR so that more people can survive cardiac arrest.

"We are incredibly grateful for their passion and commitment to fundraising for the charity and helping to support more patients in the future."

As well as raising funds for a new LUCAS 3 device, the couple are also aiming to raise awareness of the importance of learning CPR.

They are also being supported by Shane Mason, who owns The Rose and Thistle in Reading, who has organised a family fun day on Sunday, October 13.

Community first responders from the SCAC will be on hand to give CPR demonstrations and emergency first aid training.