Wales news

27/05/2009

Put your hand on your heart and volunteer for the BHF in Swansea

~Support the British Heart Foundation’s Hand on Heart campaign~

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is launching its new Hand on Heart campaign this June and is encouraging people in Swansea to donate their time to the charity.

Local Volunteer Ian Robinson has been organising events for the BHF over the past 12 months. Ian works full time and finds 1-2 hours per week to volunteer for the BHF. “I wanted help raise money for local appeals. I have also made some fantastic friends since I started volunteering and the BHF team is like a second family to me. It has given me a new lease of life.”

Volunteers play a vital role in the work of the BHF and their dedication helps save and improve the lives of those affected by heart disease. That’s why the nation’s heart charity is asking people in the Swansea area to put their hand on their heart and sign up to support the BHF. You can find out more about how you can support the charity locally by visiting an open day at Swansea BHF shop in Oxford Street, on Saturday 6th June from 1pm – 3pm. Ian will be at hand to help answer any questions regarding volunteering.

BHF Fundraising Manager Jayne Lewis says “The BHF would not be able to save lives through pioneering heart research or provide care for patients through our network of nurses and Heart HelpLine without the vital funds raised by our dedicated volunteers.

“That’s why this June we’re asking you to put your hand on your heart and support the BHF by donating your time. You can volunteer any way you want to and we’d love to hear your ideas on how you want to help.”

There are many ways that people can give us a hand include:

- Placing BHF collection boxes

- Helping other BHF volunteers raise funds in your local area

- Volunteering in a BHF shop

- Promoting Heart Matters, BHF’s free membership and information service

- Helping at a BHF fundraising event close to home

- Fundraising with family, friends or colleagues, ideas include putting on a coffee morning or sponsored walk

For more information about attending the Swansea area please contact: Jayne Lewis on 01554 891 500 / 07860 727 547 or e-mail lewisja@bhf.org.uk For more information about volunteering for the nation's heart charity visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer email volunteer@bhf.org.uk or call 0300 4568353, lines are open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. For more information about the campaign, to interview a volunteer or organise a volunteering experience please contact Jayne Lewis on 01554 891 500 or lewisja@bhf.org.uk

(1) 2004, ICM Research findings commissioned for CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and Barclays www.volunteering.org.uk/News/mediacentre/keyvolunteeringfactsandfigures

- The BHF has a selection of volunteers whose lives have been touched by heart disease who are available for interview. If you would like to place a volunteer’s story in your publication during the campaign in June, please let us know so we can source one for you.

- Volunteering days for journalists can also be arranged. They provide a flavour of the charity’s work and also make great features. Journalists can volunteer in the BHF shops or they can work alongside our volunteers in the local community.

-The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease.