Syrian refugee shows that he is full of heart

A Syrian refugee, who settled in Hamilton, has become the face of a heart charity’s campaign in a bid to inspire others to volunteer.

Mohamad Najjar fled war with his parents, but sadly lost his dad to a heart attack before they reached the UK.

Now the 18-year-old is determined to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor and has been volunteering at a British Heart Foundation store in the town in hope of improving his English and meeting new people.

To mark the launch of its national volunteering campaign, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has released a series of photographs, which feature Mohamad, to celebrate the inspiring individuals who donate their time to the charity.

The series of images showcases six volunteers from all walks of life, challenging the stereotype that volunteering is just for older generations.

The charity say these empowering photos bring to life the volunteers and their stories.

These images coincide with the release of the BHF’S new report, The Gift of Time, which reveals the positive impact volunteering has on wellbeing, mental health and loneliness, demonstrating the benefits of becoming a volunteer.

The BHF is calling on the public to shake off the stereotypes associated with volunteering and discover for themselves the life-changing effects of becoming a volunteer.

The charity hopes that the images will inspire people, whatever their age or background, to consider giving their time.

Linda Fenn, head of volunteering at the British Heart Foundation, said: “These extraordinary volunteers, who generously donate their time are the lifeblood of the BHF.

“The time that they give is vital in helping us make a positive difference to the 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases, and we want to encourage others to join us in our mission to beat heartbreak forever.

“We have a many varied roles on offer, so there really is something for everyone. Whether you would like to join a fundraising group and be involved in community based activities or gain retail experience on a busy shop floor, our roles are flexible and offer people the opportunity to use their skills, and gain new ones whilst making a real and valuable contribution.”

To get involved in volunteering at the BHF, visit : bhf.org.uk/volunteer