Time to nominate those heroes who are all heart

THE search is on for unsung health professionals who have gone the extra mile to help those suffering with heart problems.

The British Heart Foundation has launched its Virtual Heart Hero Awards 2021.

A spokesman said: “As the BHF celebrates its 60th anniversary, we are looking for health professionals and members of the public going above and beyond to save and improve the lives of those battling heart and circulatory diseases.

“A Heart Hero can be anyone, from a nurse or doctor working in the field of heart disease that may have helped you or your family, to a young person with heart disease who has shown incredible courage and determination or a fantastic fund-raiser.”

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic hit the BHF hard in 2020 – cutting its research budget by half.

To reflect this, this year a special award of Innovative Fund-raiser is being added, to acknowledge those who found new and creative ways of raising money, despite events such as the London Marathon and the BHF’s London to Brighton Bike Ride being cancelled.

All nominees and winners will be invited to a star-studded online awards ceremony premiering Live on YouTube on World Heart Day, September 29, when the winners will be announced.

Last year’s inspirational winners included 104 year-old Joan Willett, a double heart attack survivor who raised more than £60,000 with a daily hill climb outside her care home during the pandemic and dedicated couple June and Jim Machin, who channelled their grief from losing their two sons to congenital heart disease to raise £600,000 for the BHF over 45 years. ■■For more information about the criteria and to nominate, visit: