The widow and sons of a Bradford rugby player who died of a heart attack in January aged 40 have scaled the three Yorkshire peaks to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in his memory.

Mark Anderson, who played as a prop for Clayton, had been with his wife Jane for 20 years after meeting her at a rugby match at Dudley Hill.

Mrs Anderson, and the couple’s sons Christopher, 17, and Matthew, nine, joined other members of Mr Anderson’s family and 500 other walkers in the 25-mile climb of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

Mrs Anderson said: “We need to raise money for the BHF because we need to be able to fund more research and more tests so this doesn’t happen to other families.

“After Mark died, we decided we would raise money for the British Heart Foundation and we are aiming to try and raise £5,000.

“Heart disease is a massive, massive problem in the UK so I would urge people to get involved and give generously to the BHF.”

Mrs Anderson was forced to pull out of the event, which took place on Saturday, after the first peak, to help a walker who had become injured, but the rest of the team completed all three peaks.

She said: “I am really proud of everyone for taking part – they have all done so well.”

Carl Jones, of the BHF events team, said: “It was great to see Jane and her family take part. Saturday was a fantastic day.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part, everyone who volunteered and all those who came along to support people.”

Anyone wanting to take part in a BHF walk this year, can sign up for the eight-mile Lake District Hike on Sunday, September 11, or the 17-mile High Peak Trail Winter Challenge Hike on Sunday, November 21.

For details call (0800) 0852280.