Pippa Middleton Named Ambassador for the British Heart Foundation Ahead of Cross-Country Cycling Race for Charity

"I'm passionate about raising awareness amongst women of this killer disease," the young royal said

By Bruna Nessif Jun 13, 2014 10:50 PMTags
Pippa MiddletonAKM-GSI

Pippa Middleton wants to help fight heart disease.

It has been announced that the 30-year-old brunette beauty is named as the new ambassador for the British Heart Foundation.

"I was shocked to learn that nearly three times more women die from coronary heart disease than breast cancer," Kate Middleton'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."

The news comes just a day before Pippa and her brother, James Middleton, participate in the Race Across America, a 3,000-mile journey from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., starting on Saturday.

"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 3,000 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," a JustGiving Foundation page, which appears to belong to Pippa, reads.

"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."

She continued, "We're passionate about raising awareness of this killer disease and money raised from these challenges will go towards funding the British Heart Foundation's life-saving heart research. The other charity we're supporting is the Michael Matthews Foundation. Mike tragically died descending the summit of Mount Everest. The Foundation helps to provide education to children all over the world. Mike's brother James, is part of our team."