Call to support heart charity

A SOUTH Anston volunteer who has undergone heart surgery is calling on people to support the British Heart Foundation.

David Thomas and his wife June are supporting BHF during National Heart Month in February by leading fundraising activities across the region.

As founder members of the BHF fundraising group in Rotherham, the couple are calling on all people to support them and paint Rotherham red by organising simple red themed fundraisers.

They are also busy encouraging pubs in the area to take part in red themed quizzes and sweepstake competitions to raise life-saving funds to beat heart disease.

In 2009 David was diagnosed with Heart block, when electrical pulses in the heart are disrupted.

He underwent surgery six days after his diagnosis at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust where he was fitted with a pacemaker. The surgery changed his life and now David is fit and well.

David, 74, said: “I’m supporting the Red for Heart campaign having survived heart surgery.”

“Without the BHF’s pioneering research, life-saving interventions such as my pacemaker would not be possible.

“If you have been touched by heart disease, please join us and support future research. We are hoping to raise £1,000 in Rotherham during National Heart Month.”

Last month, Rotherham became the first town in South Yorkshire to wear its heart on its sleeve and sign up as a BHF Heart Town.

With the Heart Town partnership now in place between the BHF, Rotherham Council and NHS Rotherham, June and David are enthusiastic about raising money to support Red for Heart and encourage others to join them.

June said: “Red for Heart is an easy way to support Rotherham with the Heart Town initiative.”

People can order a fundraising pack directly from me and there are lots of ideas in it for how to organise your own simple red themed fundraiser.”

“We have experienced first hand the trauma that heart disease can cause and it is vital we do all we can to prevent other people going through what we have.”

Lauren Mallinson, BHF fundraising volunteer manager in South Yorkshire, said: “National Heart Month is perfectly timed for people in Rotherham to think about their own hearts and of those around them.

“Our Red for Heart campaign is our way of raising money to continue saving lives.”

“Thanks to June and David and everyone who supports them for going Red for Heart to help us to do this.”

To find out more and to order a free Red for Heart Fundraising Kit, visit bhf.org.uk/red or call June Thomas on 01909 518062 or email [email protected]