Staff at the Bristol office of rural insurer NFU Mutual have begun fundraising in fond memory of two colleagues, mother and daughter June and Anna Ogborne, who were both from the city.

Very sadly, June and Anna passed away in 2016 and 2017 respectively due to heart complications. In their memory, staff were keen to fundraise for the Above & Beyond Charity (The Bristol Heart Institute Appeal).

June and Anna’s colleagues raised more than £1,600 which will enable the charity to buy two iPads for the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Physiotherapists on the unit are currently fundraising for specialist iPads for intensive care patients whose communication is limited, which each cost £612.

Their fundraising campaign included dress down Fridays, a heart themed quiz, gifts raffle, name the cuddly toy competition, and a cake sale.

Samantha Hurley, from NFU Mutual Bristol, said: “We had great fun for a wonderful local cause, and it was all the more meaningful that we were fundraising in fond memory of our friends June and Anna.”

“June tragically passed away in the office and the memories of that day will remain with us all forever. The paramedics, ambulance service and doctors from the Bristol Heart Institute were fantastic on that day, and Anna had spent so much time in that part of the hospital due to her heart condition that we would like to thank them."

Catherine Harris, corporate partnerships fundraising officer at Above & Beyond, said: “Intensive care can be a really dark and lonely time and your hard work and their kindness will give those patients an opportunity to communicate during those tough times – thank you!”