More than £1,000 has been raised for the Fire Fighters Charity in memory of a much-loved Ceredigion care worker who died in a house fire last year.

Staff at Q Care’s West Wales region held a fundraising day in memory of their colleague Heather Edwards, bringing together service users, members of the public and local businesses to support the charity.

The event was held on 15 September, exactly a year after 40-year-old Heather died in a house fire at Bwlchllan.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes were on offer throughout the fundraiser, alongside games and a raffle supported by prizes donated by businesses and members of the local community.

On Friday, 2 October, representatives from the fire service visited Q Care as staff formally handed over the money raised, which totalled more than £1,000.

The fundraiser was organised both to remember Heather and to recognise the work carried out by firefighters in communities across west Wales.

Crews from Tregaron, Lampeter, Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, New Quay and Llandrindod Wells were among those called to the fire at Bwlchllan last September.

Heather’s family previously described her as a warm, caring and fun-loving person whose humour and generosity touched those around her.

She was affectionately known as “Hurricane Heather”, a nickname her family said reflected her light-hearted personality and tendency for accidental mishaps.

David Thomas, Q Care branch manager for Ceredigion, said the fundraising event had received widespread support from the local community and businesses.

The money raised will now go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which supports serving and retired members of the UK fire services and their families.

If you’d like to make a donation to the Fire Fighters Charity, visit donate.firefighterscharity.org.uk where you can make a one-off donation, or set up a monthly contribution to help them continue their work.