- Real Valentine Appeal
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Real Valentine Appeal
Introduction
Most people think of heart disease as a heart attack leading to a quick death. The reality is often very different, and coronary heart disease is increasingly becoming a long-term chronic condition for many people. Expert health and advice from a BHF Nurse can make a real difference to people living with heart disease.
Action
The British Heart Foundation organised the Real Valentine Appeal in February 2005 to raise money to fund new Heart Nurses. These nurses provide the emotional and practical support that's so vital to both heart patients and their carers.
People all over the country responded to the Real Valentine Appeal, raising vital funds to support our care work. Our fundraisers in the community raffled cuddly koalas and promoted our national prize draw to win a holiday to Australia. We wrote to our supporters and raised donations to support our Heart Nurses.
Thousands of people throughout Britain posted their personal 'Love Notes' across BHF Shop windows for a suggested £1 donation, or created online virtual Love Notes. We wrote to MPs, urging them to use their influence with Government to call for long-term support for our nurse network.
Impact
We raised awareness of the reality of living with coronary heart disease and the Real Valentine Appeal raised £900,000 to fund 26 BHF Heart Nurses for this first year. This will help us to reach thousands more patients in desperate need of care.
The BHF Shops' Love Notes activity alone raised over £200,000 - and resulted in four marriage proposals! Foreign Secretary Jack Straw MP was one of a dozen politicians who visited the BHF shop in their constituency to support our work and post a Love Note. Nearly 900 virtual Love Notes were created online.
More than 100 politicians signed Parliamentary motions in support of the campaign in Westminster and in the Scottish Parliament. They called on Government to make a lasting financial commitment to those living with heart disease and their carers.
Next steps
In spite of our efforts there are still many thousands of patients living with heart disease without adequate care and support. The BHF is committed to providing more heart nurses to make a difference to the lives of more patients.