Have a heart and join funding group
THE British Heart Foundation is calling on the people of Macclesfield to join a new fundraising group.
Volunteers are urged to join the fight against heart disease by becoming a member of a new group set to launch in the town to raise vital funds for the charity’s research.
Around 46,000 people across Cheshire East are fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease. Each year these devastating conditions claim the lives of more than 985 people in the borough.
Angela Steward is the first Macclesfield group member and wanted to get involved after her grandson had open heart surgery at the age of nine, when doctor’s discovered he had a condition called Aortic Stenosis.
He is now 11 and lives life to the full, which includes lots of cycling, hiking and fell running.
Angela said she feels she wants to give something back by raising money for the BHF.
She said: “My grandson’s heart condition was a shock to us all but thanks to the amazing work of the BHF he is now living a perfectly normal life and is more active than ever. He loves to show off his scar from his surgery and can even stick a magnet to the top of his chest. He is a real character. So many people are affected by heart disease and this group is a great way of supporting the BHF whilst having fun and meeting new people at the same time”.
BHF fundraising groups are the face of the charity in their local communities, and do everything from running fundraising events, to supporting schools and local businesses and organising collections.
Leah Goodhind, BHF fundraising manager for Cheshire, said: “Heart disease is heartless. Too many lives are lost in Cheshire East each year, and we’re determined to do everything we can to protect more families from this devastation.
“By starting up a fundraising group you can help us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heart disease.
“Together we can save more lives, and it’s a fantastic way to meet new people and make a real difference in your community.”
The BHF has funded research into heart and circulatory conditions for more than 50 years.
For information visit bhf.org.uk/localfundraising and to be part of the new fundraising group contact Leah Goodhind on goodhindl@bhf.org.uk or call 07500 057015.