KEITH Aston, known to many as a member of Farnham Lions and as the inspiration behind and leader of Heartstart, died on June 18 aged 78.

Keith loved cycling and had intended to cycle from Farnham to Brighton via London and back again in aid of the British Heart Foundation, a cause that was very dear to him and a ride that he had done many times.

Sadly, he suffered a stroke just a few days earlier while out riding.

Keith, a retired project manager with Marconi and formerly with the RAF, was introduced in 1998 to the Farnham Lions by his close friend Bill Dolan and was a proud Lion, a great supporter of its activities as well as being a past president of the club.

Nine years ago, while cycling into Farnham he suffered a cardiac arrest. Amongst those that witnessed it was Jo Michaelides.

Thankfully Jo was able to administer CPR until the ambulance service arrived. Without her efforts it is almost certain that Keith would not have survived.

With the aid of an internal defibrillator he went onto make a full recovery and had been in good health until last Wednesday.

Along with his wife Jemma, who sadly died just a few years later, and his daughter Becky, Keith set about trying to find the young lady who had saved his life and was delighted to do so.

Thereafter, not only did Keith develop a great friendship with Jo and her family, but together in 2012 with the support of the Lions Club of Farnham and assistance from the BHF they launched the first Heartstart class, designed to instruct how simple skills could save lives.

Since then more than 100 adult classes have been run as well as taken into local schools. Keith, and the other members of the Heartstart team, were looking forward to the 1,000th individual being trained later this year in the hope that it would further publicise the course and the benefits of attending.

In their modest way, Keith and the Heartstart team were delighted to hear that at least three lives had been saved by individuals who had attended the courses.

Keith was a very gentle, caring and considerate man and said that he hoped “my experiences will help ensure that the next person who has a sudden cardiac arrest is as lucky as I have been”.

Keith was also passionate about seeing defibrillators positioned in and around Farnham and with the help of others that number has now grown to 12 - albeit he was still keen to see more.

In November last year the Lions Club of Farnham and Lions International recognised the great service provided to Farnham by Keith and Jo with each receiving a Melvin Jones Fellowship award.

Jo and her husband Jason have already registered a team in Keith’s memory for next year’s BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride.

A service will be held at Clandon Wood, Epsom Road, West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7FN on July 5 at 11am.

Becky has requested that donations be made to the BHF rather than flowers.