Major projects
- the BHF invests over £95 a minute on research to keep the nation's hearts healthy.
- A major gift could help us fund a complete heart research project or programme.
- If you or your organisation wish to find out more, please call Angus Nelson, 020 7487 9405.
Healthy Hearts Appeal
2005 saw the British Heart Foundation launch the public phase of its Ranulph Fiennes Healthy Hearts Appeal. Our aim was to raise £2 million towards the cost of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner and vital support staff at the Institute of Child Heath, and a Catheter Laboratory for the Heart Hospital in London. Both will make a huge difference to our understanding of heart disease in children and young adults.
Action
The Healthy Hearts Appeal focused on working with organisations and major individual donors to reach its fundraising target.
In support of the Appeal and as part of its public launch, our Appeal President, internationally acclaimed explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes attempted to climb the north face of Mount Everest. At the age of 61, having suffered a heart attack and undergone double-bypass surgery less than two years earlier, it was a remarkable achievement, especially as Sir Ranulph suffers from a fear of heights.
To honour Sir Ranulph’s magnificent attempt on the world’s highest peak, the Appeal Committee held a dinner for 250 guests at London’s Globe Theatre. The evening was a great success, with the funds raised by the raffle and auction taking us a long way towards reaching our target for the Appeal.
Impact
The Ranulph Fiennes Healthy Hearts Appeal has so far raised £1.8 million, with donations from charitable trusts, corporations, and individuals, generating some of the largest gifts the BHF has ever received. This would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of Sir Ranulph and our Appeal Committee.
The generosity of the organisations and individuals who contributed to the Appeal is absolutely crucial to the BHF. Their help and support enables us to establish and run large-scale long-term projects that will save thousands of lives both now and in the future.
Next steps
In 2006/07 we aim to secure the final £200,000 needed to reach our Appeal target. With other major educational, care and research projects in the pipeline, it is essential that the BHF continues the success of the Healthy Hearts Appeal to help keep thousands more hearts beating.