Andrew Cooper was a healthy, fit, 49-year-old-male. Then, in early October last year, his wife Christine says 'he ended up feeling funny one day and he was in hospital the next”.

Andrew had a mitral valve 'blow out” says Christine, and was in Waikato hospital the next week having open heart surgery.

Andrew and Christine Cooper with Maia, Ella, and Nick. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Christine, Andrew and their 11-year-old triplets Ella, Maia and Nicholas will be walking the 7km walkways, run as part of the Tauranga Half Marathon this Sunday, to raise money for the Heart Foundation.

'We thought we'd do it as part of his recovery and to raise some money for the Heart Foundation,” says Christine.

Christine and her family have raised more than $550 through family, friends, Facebook and the Everyday Hero website.

She and Andrew, along with their children, will walk the 7km walkways because doctors told Andrew walking was a good way for his heart to recover.

'It's a good incentive and a positive thing to do altogether as a family,” says Christine.

'And for Andrew's recovery; it's a goal to get, to walk that distance.”

As far as training for the 7km walk goes, Christine says the triplets can 'walk up the Mount without even breaking a sweat so they don't need to do any training”. But their parents have been walking around the Mount to warm themselves up for the event.

The half marathon begins 7am on Sunday, with the 14km walkways starting at 8.15am, the 7km walkways starting at 9.30am, and the Matua Mile (1.6km) beginning 10.30am.

People can register for the half marathon and other events on the day by paying the entry fee with cash – no Eftpos or ATMs are available on Sunday.

Online registrations close at 5pm tonight, April 8.

To donate to the Heart Foundation through Christine and her family, visit www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/tauranga-half-marathon-2016

For more information about the Tauranga Half Marathon, visit www.taurangahalfmarathon.co.nz