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Our supporters
Introduction
At the BHF we are working with some of the most forward-thinking people in the country - our professors, researchers, volunteers and especially our supporters. None of our work would be possible without the continued generosity of people like you.
Whilst all donations are greatly appreciated, supporting the BHF with a direct debit or a gift left in your Will gives us the confidence to fund the next generation of research.
In addition, the time given to the BHF by volunteers across the country is invaluable. Without the support of our volunteers the BHF could not continue its vital work.
Action
Our supporters have shown their commitment to fighting heart disease by giving money to the BHF each month. A small but regular direct debit makes a big difference to our work.
Legacy donations support almost half of our heart research and other activities so we're very grateful to supporters who leave a donation to the BHF in their Will. As Shirley Addley from Hertfordshire explains:
"I made my legacy because I would like to support more research and education for the younger generation. My husband suffered a heart attack in 1996 and I hope that my gift to the BHF will spare other people from the distress that my family and I have experienced in the last few years."
2005 is the UK's Year of the Volunteer, and the BHF thanks and applauds over 13,000 people across the UK who regularly give time in their local community and BHF shop.
Impact
This year nearly 37,000 of our supporters supported us by direct debit, raising £1.8million to fund valuable research.
In 2005, we received nearly £40 million in legacies from around 2,000 supporters. Another 900 supporters told us that they have included a donation to the BHF in their will and nearly 2,000 contacted us to say they were interested in pledging a legacy.
For many people, personal experience of heart disease is the motivation to join us. This year, volunteer members of the BHF's Cheltenham branch celebrated fundraising £1 million - the first branch to do so. Since 1969 the branch has worked tirelessly for the Charity, organising events like the popular Cotswolds Bike Ride which annually raises around £30,000. Steve Syer, who helped to organise the event with his wife Chris, is one of the UK's longest surviving transplant patients, having celebrated 21 years with a donor heart.
The funds our supporters have raised not only supported vital heart research but have also enabled life-saving defibrillators and ECG machines to be placed in local hospitals and doctors' surgeries.
Next steps
This year we aim to increase the number of supporters donating to the BHF by direct debit to 55,000 and raise £3.3 million through our regular giving programme.
By encouraging more people to leave us a legacy we can help future generations to lead long and healthy lives.
We plan to recruit hundreds of new volunteers to enable us to open new shops and expand our fundraising in the community.