Pictured above: (l-r) Pat Connor (Bott), Jo Dennis (Bott), Wendy Adams (Arrhythmia Alliance), Paul Simpson (Bott) Steph Briers (Bott), Kevin Woodward (Bott)

Vehicle enhancement specialist Bott, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has raised nearly £1,400 for the heart rhythm charity Arrhythmia Alliance.

Each year Bott organises a charity raffle, supported by contractors and suppliers. This year the raffle raised £1,377.57, which has been donated to Arrhythmia Alliance in memory of former Bott employee Brian Simpson.

Brian Simpson joined Bott in 2004 and worked as an operative, assembling the company's in-vehicle racking and shelving systems. Brian suffered from angina related problems throughout 2009, and left the company in January 2010 to have a triple heart bypass operation. Though he initially recovered well, he died in August 2010.

Bott was therefore keen to donate the funds from this year's charity raffle to heart rhythm charity Arrhythmia Alliance. The charity works to raise awareness and promote timely and effective diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for individuals affected by heart rhythm disorders and sudden cardiac death.

Working in partnership with leading healthcare and allied professionals the charity's Restart the Heart Campaign raises awareness of life-threatening sudden cardiac arrests and supports the placement of life saving equipment in communities, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Immediately available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, AEDs automatically diagnose the condition of a patient's heart and can treat arrhythmic problems by regulating the heartbeat.

Wendy Adams from the charity said: "Thank you so much to the entire Bott team, and that includes the generously donated prizes for this fundraising raffle. This donation will help make a difference to thousands of people suffering with cardiac arrhythmias. Each donation you make means a great deal to us. Funds raised by everyone at Bott go towards the development of resources that benefit patients, medical professionals and the general public."

Kevin Woodward, managing director of Bott's Vehicle Enhancement Division, said: "Brian Simpson was personable and hard-working, and was well-liked and respected by the management team and his colleagues. We wanted to remember him by donating this year's raffle funds to a charity that can help other people with similar heart conditions. We couldn't have raised so much money without the ongoing support of our contractors and suppliers, which donate prizes free of charge."

Brian Simpson's son Paul joined the Bott team in 2009 as an electrical installation engineer. He said: "My family and I really appreciate that this year's raffle was organised in memory of dad, and it is a fitting tribute. We raised more money than we ever have before in a raffle, and it makes me proud that dad was so well thought of and respected. He would be pleased that we are helping other people with similar illnesses."