Pippa Middleton named new ambassador for British Heart Foundation - and sets herself two fundraising challenges

Pippa Middleton has joined the fight against heart disease. The 30-year-old has been announced as the newest ambassador for the British Heart Foundation. Posing for a new photo to promote her association with the charity organisation, lady in red Pippa said she was "shocked" by some of the statistics associated with heart health.

© Photo: Twitter

"I was shocked to learn that nearly three times more women die from coronary heart disease than breast cancer," the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister said. "I'm passionate about raising awareness amongst women of this killer disease and I look forward to working with the BHF to highlight to women the risks of heart disease and importantly, how the can reduce them. "Action woman Pippa is certainly stepping up to the plate for her new role. She is taking part in the Race Across Americafollowed by a Cross Continental Swim to help raise money for both the Michael Matthews Foundation and the British Heart Foundation.

Writing on her Just Giving fundraising page, Pippa explains, "On 14th June, my brother and I, along with six friends will be setting off on a West to East Coast Race Across America (RAAM). This relay cycling event spans 3000 miles, 12 states and 88 counties. We are aiming to complete this non-stop challenge in eight days, riding between 350 and 500 miles a day."

Shortly after this, we will be heading over to Istanbul to take on the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Race. 

This 6.5km historical swim crosses two continents - Europe to Asia, across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

"We are taking on these two overseas sporting challenges to raise money for two charities that are very close to our hearts ..."

© Photo: Getty Images

Upon Pippa's return, her bespoke bike will also be auctioned off on eBay.

"We are thrilled to welcome Pippa as a BHF ambassador," said chief executive Simon Gillespie. "Together we can bring greater attention to this area of women's heart health and help generate the vital funds to support our fight. "Heart disease is still seen as a man's disease and this must change. Nearly one million women in the UK are living with coronary heart disease and one in ten women die from it."