Finding a way to grieve after losing his mum and brother during the pandemic is just one of the challenges to be undertaken by a loving son.

Jared Scott lost his mum and brother to heart disease within just six months of each other. Now he is vowing to take on a fitness challenge every month of 2021, to raise money for life-saving research in their memory.

The “Not stopping for a year” challenge has already seen him complete a staggering 400,000 steps in February in support of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the 32-year-old, who was raised in Wigton but now lives in Aberdeen, is planning to run 5k every day in March.

Jared’s mum Susan, who was loved by all she met, died last year at the age of 57, followed tragically just six months later by Jared’s older brother Sam, who was 36. Both lived in Cumbria.

“My inspiration is a sad one, unfortunately,” said Jared. “I lost my mum and my brother to heart-related illnesses which claimed their lives very suddenly, and it was such a shock for us all.

“I just want to make a difference so that others don’t have to experience what my family has been through.

“I’ve always enjoyed keeping fit and so thought this was a good way to stay active and raise money for the BHF, a cause that is understandably close to my heart.

“Taking on 400,000 steps in just four weeks was a bit of a test. I was out in all weathers, including heavy snow which made things a bit tricky but I kept at it and I’m glad to have got them under my belt. I have a few more ideas planned for the rest of the year and hope to raise as much as I can.”

Jared has already raised almost £1,000 for the BHF – the largest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.

He also has big plans to continue the work throughout the year, hoping to take on the three peaks and climb the three highest mountains in Scotland once it is safe to do so.

The last 12 months have been the hardest in the charity’s 60-year history. The crisis has had a devastating impact on its income and as a result, research funding had to be cut in half this year, putting future life-saving discoveries at risk.

For more about the work of the BHF and how you can help support them, visit www.bhf.org.uk