THE countdown has begun for a community fun day at Lakes Leisure Centre Kendal this Bank Holiday Monday.

Lakes Leisure Kendal and the British Heart Foundation have organised the event, which will promote health and well-being.

The initiative is being supported by The Westmorland Gazette.

There will be stands, stalls and a four-mile fundraising walk around the town, with sponsors raising money for the British Heart Foundation’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.

South Lakeland dDistrict councillor Jo Stephenson (Windermere Town) is supporting the family walk, as the charity is one close to his heart.

He said: “I’m proud to be supporting this event and the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.

“We can’t wait for our event and we know that our fundraising will make a difference.

“A dear friend of mine died last year of heart failure so I know how important this work of the BHF is, hopefully the money we raise will help to save lives in the future.”

The Mending Broken Hearts Appeal aims to raise millions of pounds to fund a cutting edge research programme involving stem research to work out how to mend damaged heart muscle.

Barbara Dunn, Fundraising Manager at BHF, said: “With the help of local people and the money this type of activity raises, we firmly believe a cure for heart failure could become a reality.”

The family fundraising walk starts and finishes from Lakes Leisure Centre, taking in some of the sights of Kendal.

It is both on and off road, taking people past the castle and along the river Kent, with an all important stop off at the ice cream stand next to the river.

As well as the fundraising walk, there will be a host of activities for families to take part in.

There will be various stalls, a bouncy castle, a family aqua challenge hour and also the chance to try out new sports.

The day kicks off at 10am and will finish at 3.30pm on August 26 at Lakes Leisure, Kendal, Burton Road.