A TIRELESS fundraiser is celebrating after a third successful year raising money for a charity close to her heart.

Ila Shah has raised more than £13,000 in just three years for Diabetes UK by arranging sponsored walks around Leverhulme Park in memory of her husband Nanubhai Shah, who died in November 2012 following a 20-year battle with the disease.

Before his death, the 78-year-old chartered accountant, who came to the UK from Bombay, India, in 1962, became dependent on insulin but struggled to inject it.

Mrs Shah hopes to raise awareness about the condition, which she calls the "silent killer".

She said: "It is a silent killer. I saw my husband suffer with it and I see lots of others who are suffering from it too. It is especially widespread in the Asian community.

"I hope that I can inspire more people to join in next year, and also encourage young people to organise their own charity events for the cause — because research will help the young generations too."

In the first year, Mrs Shah raised £3,264, then £3,911 and finally this year she smashed her target by raising £5,843.

She wants the money to go towards research into the condition.

Mrs Shah added: "I would like to thank all the people who have helped to raise the money by taking part in the walks, and volunteers who have helped me organise the events.

"I'm very, very happy about the total money that has been raised. I feel very proud that I can do something good for the community and my soul feels at rest that I can do something for my husband.

"I'm sure that he is looking down and is happy with what I have done."