Major corporate organisations play a big part in fundraising for the fight against heart disease and, in 2007, our partnership with leading bank HBOS really was outstanding.

Jillian Baillie of the HBOS Foundation said: "Working together with the BHF, we created and drove an imaginative mix of events to motivate our 65,000 colleagues to get involved in the Million £ Challenge." The fundraising calendar was packed with events, from old favourites like a holiday raffle to win five days holiday and £5,000, to new initiatives such as a text-to-win monthly competition and a mountain bike challenge.

Two hundred and ninety two HBOS Bike Challengers toughed it out in the Scottish Highlands to raise over £570,000 in one weekend. This included the HBOS Foundation's contribution, which matched every pound raised for the Million £ Challenge. Brian Fraser told us: "The real catalyst for me was having the opportunity to make a difference to a genuinely worthwhile cause. My lasting memory from the Challenge is the exemplary work BHF volunteers did to ensure the event was a success. Their enthusiasm and encouragement inspired every cyclist around the arduous course."

Other initiatives, such as Giving Extra Day, a one-day customer event in every branch of the Halifax and Bank of Scotland, brought in over £80,000, including matched funding, and gave our public profile a terrific boost on the high street.

The partnership raised a sky-high £1.8 million in one year - the biggest single donation from a business so far - which has funded 15 more BHF Heart Nurses.

In 2009, as well as developing our existing partnerships, we'll be working with Lloyds TSB, Home Retail Group, Midlands Co-op, Fitness First Clubs, Colgate, and Booker. To find out more about a mutually beneficial partnership in the fight against heart disease, please email our Corporate Partnerships Team at partners@bhf.org.uk