British Heart Foundation

Our Tesco round-up results are in! The round-up raised an incredible £513,965.41 for the BHF, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Diabetes UK. We're so grateful to everyone who supported the initiative. The money raised will help support each charity’s information and support services. At the BHF, the money raised through the round-up appeal will now be dedicated to making our fantastic information booklets available to even more people affected by heart and circulatory diseases.

"Looking at the BHF booklets and materials really helped me, because it gave me hope. People have done all sorts of inspirational things after having a heart attack." Hina Shah, a mum-of-two from Stanmore who had a heart attack aged 36 while making Diwali sweets with her daughter, is helping the BHF raise awareness of how South Asians are at higher risk of some heart and circulatory conditions. In November 2007, while preparing for Diwali with her daughter, Hiral, Hina felt a sudden choking sensation. Following this, she went to lie down, and shortly afterwards, Hiral, who was five at the time, went looking for her. Hina, now 53, said: "She saw me lying there, and I had really deteriorated. Hina could barely speak and whispered to her daughter to go and get her father-in-law, Harakhchandbhai. He was shocked to see Hina so unwell and called for an ambulance. "He dialled but he didn’t know what to tell them really," Hina added. "He speaks English but it’s not his first language. He was trying to understand the questions they were asking him, looking at me and relaying responses as he could." Within minutes, paramedics came to the scene and rushed Hina to hospital after noticing that her blood pressure was dropping. Doctors quickly discovered she had a blocked coronary artery and inserted two stents, which helped save her life. Hina said: "I didn’t find out what led to the heart attack. The only thing that they said is because I am of South Asian origin, I could be genetically predisposed to having a higher risk of heart-related issues." This #Diwali, Hina has joined the BHF in raising awareness of this higher risk for people of South Asian origin. The BHF recently translated some of our online health information into three South Asian and two European languages - Urdu, Bangla/Bengali, Punjabi, Romanian and Polish. During the long recovery journey, Hina used the resources such as the Heart Helpline, as well as booklets on heart disease to find out what lifestyle changes, she should make. The BHF accessible heart information was funded thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of Royal Mail employees.

On last night’s episode of Coronation Street, British Heart Foundation took over the iconic end credits, delivering a disruptive message about heart health in a unique and memorable way. This is the first time that the Coronation Street credits have been modified in the 64 years the soap has been broadcast on TV. Just as Gail’s heart momentarily stopped, the iconic Corrie end credits also came to a stop. Instead of the usual theme tune we all know and love, the Coronation Street credits suddenly cut to the sound of a flatlining heartbeat. The ad voiced by BHF ambassador and former Corrie actor Kimberly Hart-Simpson, came after heartbroken viewers found out one of the show's most iconic characters, Gail Platt, will be leaving the Weatherfield cobbles after 50 years. Gail suffered a heart attack before going onto have a cardiac arrest in hospital. She then underwent a lifesaving procedure to stent open the blocked coronary artery that caused the heart attack and to try to prevent any further heart attacks. Thanks to swift medical action Gail survived. Gail’s cardiac episode is a stark reminder that coronary heart disease, the main cause of heart attacks, is the single biggest killer of women worldwide. The BHF funds £100 million of new cardiovascular research each year towards new tests and treatments that could help keep families like Gail's together for longer. Damion Mower, our Director of Brand, Acquisition and Retail Marketing added: "When Gail joined the Street in the 1960s more than seven out of ten heart attacks were fatal. Today, in part due to medical research funded by the BHF, more than seven out of ten people survive." Visit bhf.org.uk.

Getting confident using a defibrillator could save a loved one's life. In just 15 minutes, you can learn how to use one and how to perform CPR with RevivR - our online tool. Start your lifesaving training today and gain the knowledge to help #RestartAHeart: https://lnkd.in/ehzRSSXU.

We are delighted to be finalists for two different awards – the Business Culture Awards (Business Culture Awards & Business Culture Connected) and the HR Excellence Awards {HR magazine) ❤️   The nominations are for our ‘Leading Our Future’ programme – a leadership development initiative designed and delivered in collaboration with Mayvin. It emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic as the BHF evolved its ways of working, ensuring the organisation is always in the best position to fund and deliver life-saving research for patients and their families.   The innovative programme has been nominated for two categories in the Business Culture Awards, the first being ‘Best NGO/Non-Profit Organisation for Business Culture’ and the second ‘Future Workplace Readiness Award’.   We are also finalists in the HR Excellence Awards, shortlisted for the ‘Best Learning and Development Strategy’. The BHF is thrilled to be recognised for our progressive approach to leadership development and commitment to heart health and our community.

Over the summer, thousands of Royal Mail colleagues got involved in the Great Big Fundraising Challenge and raised over £346,000 through a phenomenal variety of activities including challenging treks, walks, rows, runs and bike rides. The incredible fundraising efforts of colleagues at Royal Mail will support the BHF’s lifesaving mission. Providing more defibrillators for communities, creating accessible heart health information and funding both Classroom RevivR and our Heart Helpline. What a huge impact you've made Royal Mail. ❤️

As The Government develops a 10-year plan for health, we are keen to see how cardiovascular disease is prioritised. Our #HeartsNeedMore! Now is the time to help us advocate for a Heart Disease Action Plan. Show your support by signing our pledge today: https://lnkd.in/e3QKRjVu.

"You never know when it may be needed and if by this simple act of installing a defibrillator, you may save a life." Following their successful application to our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme last year, Hornsmill Community Centre in Hertford have fully embraced learning all about CPR and defibrillation. Carolyn James, a volunteer at the centre, was aware that many of the people that use the centre were vulnerable due to their disabilities, so wanted to ensure the centre had a defib in case it was ever needed. Lots of members of the community around the centre are also elderly, so the centre wanted to offer them something positive for their community. The people who use the centre have all got stuck into CPR training with RevivR. They are now aware how a defibrillator works, and also what to do in the future if someone had a cardiac arrest. Having a defibrillator has not only provided the community with reassurance, but sparked a wave of CPR heroes within the centre! Carolyn encourages other communities to apply, saying "To anyone thinking of applying, go for it. It's a straightforward process, the training is straightforward and takes the concerns about using a defibrillator away. It is such an asset to the community and the more there are around, the better for everyone." ❤️ To find out more and apply to our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme, visit our website here: https://bit.ly/47WG2xI

Gifts in Wills are a powerful way to make a lasting impact. ❤️ Your support could help fund the next groundbreaking scientific breakthrough, transforming lives for generations to come. Heart and circulatory diseases are the biggest killers in the world, claiming 1 in every 4 lives in the UK. Thanks to generous gifts in Wills, we can help fund some of the world’s most innovative research that uses technology, big data, and artificial intelligence to discover new ways to prevent and treat all heart and circulatory diseases. With 50% of our income coming from gifts in Wills we can support countless individuals, preventing heartbreak on every street, in every community across the UK. We understand that writing a Will can be daunting, so we’ve made the process as straightforward as possible. Our Free Will Guide provides step-by-step information and support to help you through every stage. Download our Free Will Guide today to learn more about the Will-writing process and discover how you can make a difference: https://lnkd.in/eu5mqQMA.

Our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme is now open. To apply for a free defibrillator and give your community a stronger chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, visit our website here: https://bit.ly/47WG2xI.