RELATIVES and friends of a Hampshire mum-of-two who died suddenly have taken to the streets in her honour.

Dozens of people walked the seven mile distance hoping to raise funds for a legacy to Sarah Williams.

Around 30 people, including at times Sarah’s two young children and her parents, took on the route from the Bedes Lea pub in North Baddesley to the Romsey War Memorial and back.

At the memorial park the 30 sponsored walkers released yellow balloons in memory of the 44-year-old, of Romsey.

Friends Lisa Walters, 44, and Lynne Preston, 45, had organised the walk which they hoped would raise more than £700 to pay for a plot for her ashes and a memorial at St John the Baptist Church in North Baddesley, the village where she lived until 2013.

Lisa said she believes they have exceeded this figure and any extra money will be put into a trust fund for Sarah’s daughters Rose, nine, and Grace, seven.

Single mother Sarah, of Banning Street, who previously worked for Zurich Insurance, began feeling unwell in September and her doctor referred her for scans.

Just a few weeks later, on November 3, she died of a heart attack at her home.

Sarah’s daughters have since moved in with their grandparents Barrie and Maureen Williams.

The Co-op in Rownhams Lane, North Baddesley, where the former Mountbatten School pupil worked part-time until her death, and All Saints Church, North Baddesley are also supporting the fundraising event.

Daily Echo:

Sarah Williams with her daughters Rose and Grace

Lisa, from North Baddesley, who had known Sarah since they were 17, said: “We were really pleased with the turnout and thankful to everybody that participated because she was really well loved and I think today proved that.

“It warms your heart when people pull together like this on something like this.”

Sarah’s father Barrie, 74, of North Baddesley, said: “It was lovely – we were overwhelmed at the reaction to thais and of people since Sarah passed away.

“We had a few tears when the balloons went off. It was choking really.

“They all went up in a tree, it looked a picture. It made it a little light hearted.”