A fitness instructor from Coalville, who lost her mum to sepsis a year ago, is holding a charity bootcamp to raise funds and awareness to fight the devastating condition.

Samantha Heap, owner of Village Green Fitness, will be hosting a charity bootcamp for 30 participants this Saturday (September 2) at Cattows Farm near Heather for The UK Sepsis Trust.

Last July, Sam's mother Diane died while enjoying a holiday with her husband Graham, when she unknowingly contracted an invasive Strep A infection that triggered sepsis.

Within hours of feeling poorly, Diane became critically ill and was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, but despite the best efforts to save her, she died surrounded by her family just over two weeks later.

Sam is now working hard to raise awareness for this devastating condition, with the help of The UK Sepsis Trust.

Sam said: "Prior to Mum's death, I had heard of sepsis but didn't understand it.

"I believed it was something that you caught in hospital if you were already vulnerable.

"The fact is, sepsis can affect any person, of any age and can be triggered by any infection. I want to raise as much awareness as possible in order to educate people and give them the tools to ask: 'Could it be sepsis?'

"The UK Sepsis Trust has been a huge support to our family in the past year and the work it does to raise awareness around sepsis is invaluable.

"Being a charity, they rely on donations, so it was a no-brainer when I had the idea to run one of my bootcamps to raise funds and awareness to help other people affected by sepsis.

"Before Mum died, she had been working with me to improve her health and fitness, with the goal of one day attending one of my bootcamps. Whilst that can now sadly never happen, it won't stop us celebrating and remembering her for such an important cause. We will be having a playlist of her favourite music and all trying to 'Be More Diane.'"

The bootcamp comes at the start of Sepsis Awareness month, with Sepsis Awareness Day on Wednesday, September 13.

Click HERE to donate or email [email protected] to book the bootcamp.