Simon Barrett, British Heart Foundation (BHF) Beverley Fundraising Group Leader, has stepped out today to help the nation’s heart charity launch a new fundraising event in Beverley.
Joined by Fundraising Volunteer Manager, Sharon Oakley, the duo are asking the local community to put their best foot forward and sign up to a new Heart Walk, taking place on Sunday 24 March, to raise vital funds for the BHF.
Simon Barrett, who has volunteered for the BHF since 2007, has joined forces with the charity to encourage locals, regardless of age and fitness ability, to register now for the fun, family-friendly 1.2 mile sponsored walk along the established paths and open space of pasture land on the Beverley Westwood. The walk starts from Walkington Road and has views of the magnificent Beverley Minster and the Westwood.
Simon said: “Walking is a great way to help keep your heart healthy. The Beverley Heart Walk may be a couple of months away yet, but for those that lead a more sedentary life, it provides the perfect amount of time to start making small adjustments to the daily routine to build up to this distance – it’s not very far, but if you’re not used to walking you now have the chance to start.
“This circular, heart-shaped walk around Beverley Westwood provides a good opportunity to get friends, colleagues and family members together for a hearty walk that will not only help keep your own heart fit, but help the BHF keep other hearts beating too. There’s no cost to take part, but we are asking everyone to raise as much sponsorship money as they can – every penny counts”
As a BHF Heart Town, Beverley is one of nine towns and cities chosen by the nation’s heart charity to host a Heart Walk to raise money for its Mending Broken Hearts Appeal – an ambitious programme which aims to raise vital funds to find a cure for heart failure, bringing hope to millions worldwide. The Beverley Heart Town initiative is being supported by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Sharon Oakley said: “Over 750,000 people in the UK are currently living with heart failure. If the people of Beverley and surrounding area get together, sign up to do a Heart Walk and raise money through sponsorship they’ll help us to give hope to people living with heart failure.
“The local community has been fantastic at supporting our fundraising activity, so I hope they get behind this activity and put their hearts and trainer soles to help us beat heart disease, for good.”
The BHF is hosting a series of Heart Walks throughout the country in a bid to help raise over £180,000 for the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. Registration is now open and is free to sign-up, with participants asked to pledge a minimum £50 sponsorship.
Beverley Heart Town is one of fewer than 50 Heart Towns and Cities across the United Kingdom where entire communities are coming together to help beat heart disease.
To find out more about joining the BHF Beverley Fundraising Group please contact the BHF’s Sharon Oakley on 01904 270776 or email oakleys@bhf.org.uk
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