A BURNHAM-ON-SEA family has raised nearly £2,000 for charity to thank a group of lifesaving heroes who came to their mother's rescue.

Bev Bishop, her husband Lee and their son, Owen took on the Autumn Storm on October 1 - a 55 mile cycle route around the Devon countryside to raise money for St John's Ambulance Service.

The family raised £1,854 for the first aid charity to thank them after its volunteers saved Judith Mansfield's life.

Judith was at the Bristol Hippodrome on January 21, 2016 when she suddenly collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest just minutes before the curtain was due to come up on a performance of The Bodyguard.

"We came so close to losing mum and we wanted to give something back to St John Ambulance as a thank you for everything they did, that night," said Bev.

After seeing the drama unfold, first aiders Craig Rankin and Steve Jones sprung into action and assisted audience member, Kristian Keyte in giving Judith CPR.

Craig used the venue's portable defibrillator to deliver a single lifesaving shock to Judith's heart, bringing her back to life.

To Judith's surprise, just a week later she was reunited with her lifesaving heroes at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and they all met the star of The Bodyguard, Alexandra Burke.

"Craig, Steve and Kristian have all become firm friends," Bev said.

"They’re like part of the family and we’ve been back to the Hippodrome to see Sister Act and meet Alexandra again, backstage.

"We could never thank them enough for what they did."

The Bishops completed the cycling challenge in around four hours and Bev said the trek was a 'real challenge.'

"The cycle took longer than we had hoped but we had to allow for the weather conditions and slippery roads.

"We've raised £1,854 and have totally smashed our target.

"Our legs are aching but we're really happy with how it went."

Kevin Dickens, community fundraising coordinator for St John's Ambulance, said fundraisers like Bev are 'vital' to keeping the charity afloat.

"Brilliant fundraising efforts like this help us make sure our first aiders are highly trained and well-equipped, so that they’re always ready to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved," Kevin said.

"I hope that Bev, Lee and Owen inspire many more people to dig deep for St John Ambulance, because every penny helps save lives."

For more information about the Bishops' fundraising efforts or to donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/team-bishop01-10