New BHF Celebrity Ambassadors and Heart Hero Awards announced

Today we appointed Luke Pritchard, Gemma Atkinson and Yinka Bokinni as our new ambassadors. The trio will be announcing extraordinary ‘Heart Heroes’ alongside the Duchess of York at our annual Heart Hero Awards on 20th October.

The Kooks singer Luke Pritchard, actress Gemma Atkinson and presenter Yinka Bokinni all have a strong connection to our cause and will start their ambassadorship by attending this year’s virtual Heart Hero Awards ceremony on Tuesday 20 October at 7-9pm. Luke will also be performing during the awards, alongside chart topper singer Ella Henderson.

Luke Pritchard has said: “What an honour it is to be made a British Heart Foundation ambassador. The cause has been close to my heart for many years after my dad passed away from a heart attack when I was just three years old. 

I understand the devastating reality of experiencing heart and circulatory disease which is why it’s important to me to support the BHF. I’m excited to be a part of this year’s Heart Hero Awards event, announcing the ‘Fundraising in Community’ award to a very worthy winner and performing at it too. I look forward to working more closely with the BHF as an ambassador.”

Vernon Kay will be hosting the third annual Heart Hero Awards, which this year has been transformed into a star-studded virtual event hosted on YouTube. The night will showcase inspiring people who have shown courage, resilience, compassion and bravery in the face of adversity.

'The awards are a brilliant way to celebrate inspirational people'

Gemma Atkinson said:“The British Heart Foundation do incredible work funding life saving research and I’m so happy to be working closely with this wonderful charity as a new ambassador! I lost my dad from a heart attack 18 years ago and ever since, I have wanted to help others who have suffered from a similar loss or living with a heart condition.

One of my first ambassador duties is announcing the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award at this year’s Heart Hero Awards ceremony. The awards are a brilliant way to celebrate inspirational people and I feel lucky to be a part of it.”

A night celebrating true life heroes

Charmaine Griffiths, our CEO said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new wonderful celebrity ambassadors. The BHF are very grateful for the work they have done for us to raise awareness of our life saving research. During this extremely difficult time their support means a great deal to us as we face the hardest period that the BHF has had in its 60-year history.

Whilst this year’s Heart Hero Awards are going to be virtual, we will not let that stand in our way. We are very much looking forward to celebrating true life heroes who have overcome challenges or changed the lives of others. A huge thank you and congratulations to all of the nominees and winners, judges and presenters, as well as our new celebrity ambassadors for making the Heart Hero Awards the unique and heart-warming event that it is.”

Ambassador, award presenter and judge, Yinka Bokinni said: “Last year’s Heart Hero Awards was fantastic so I’m really looking forward to being involved with it again this year as a new official ambassador! My own heart condition has given me an understanding of the importance of the work the BHF do as well as the amazing people who support them, which is why I’m so excited to be announcing the Young Heart Hero award.

I’ve worked with the BHF for around four years now and really enjoyed meeting their inspirational supporters, other people with heart conditions and learning about the research they do. I’m so happy to be an official BHF ambassador!”

This year's Heart Hero Awards are supported by Laerdal Medical, who are working with us to help save more lives and beat heartbreak forever.

You too can be a part of the BHF’s Heart Hero Awards:

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