A FUNDRAISING page has been set up in memory of a Galashiels community councillor who tragically died last week.

Last Monday, John Hazle, 63, suffered a heart attack in his van near Torwoodlee Golf Course.

Now the former policeman’s daughter Stacy has set up a JustGiving page in his memory – to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

She told the Border Telegraph: “It has been a difficult week, but I think it is important to raise money and awareness of heart disease.

“My dad had a quadruple bypass nine years ago and we thought all was fine. 

“The night before he died he told us he had chest pains and a pain in his arm, but put it down to indigestion and took some aspirin as you are told to do. He had experienced similar pains before and they eventually went.

“But on Monday when he was driving to Edinburgh, he began to feel unwell again and pulled over into a layby at Torwoodlee, where he had a heart attack.

“Someone who was passing saw what was going on and gave him CPR, but unfortunately dad couldn’t be saved.”

Mr Hazle, who is originally from Glespin in South Lanarkshire, moved to Galashiels in 1976 where he served as a police officer and more recently community councillor.

He and his wife Moira, 61, moved to Cyprus last May, but returned to the Borders in January.

Stacy added: “Dad was a very loving man. He always told us he loved us and we will miss him so much.

“He did many jobs in the police force and was a very opinionated man.

"He was a strong road safety campaigner and always commented on how people were speeding on the A7.”

Stacy has already managed to raise £325 of her £1,000 target for the British Heart Foundation.

And she says she is already thinking of other ways to help the charity in the future.

She said: “We want to raise awareness and encourage people to get checked for heart disease before it’s too late.

“I am also thinking of taking on a half-marathon in Edinburgh to hopefully raise more money.”

To donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stacy-hazle1