Young At Heart Volunteers Needed To Help Beat Heart Disease

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is appealing for volunteers to help children and young people in Beverley raise vital funds for the charity and keep their own hearts healthy.

The nation’s heart charity urgently needs adult volunteers to work with local nurseries, schools and colleges who choose to support its life-saving work in the region. Volunteers will help local teachers inspire children and young people to take part in Arties Olympics, Jump Rope for Heart, Ultimate Dodgeball and other challenges, all designed to encourage fitness and raise funds for the BHF and the school.

The BHF already helps local children and young people to look after their hearts through its wide range of award winning books, games and websites, specially designed for each age group. One out of every 145 children in the UK is born with a heart defect and the charity provides information and guidance for their parents as well funding more heart research than any other UK charity.

Sharon Oakley, BHF Fundraising Manager for North & East Yorkshire, said: “We urgently need volunteers in the local area to help several hours a week and make a real difference to our work with children and young people. For this role you need to be available during the school day at least half a day a week and should be comfortable speaking in front of groups of children and young people. It helps if you have a car to visit schools and you also need a computer and email account. You don’t need to be a teacher, but it is important that you enjoy talking with children and young people from ages 3 – 19 and are passionate about beating heart disease in your community.”

Murray Halliday, BHF Schools & Youth Volunteer for York, said “I find working with schools very rewarding. Pupils and teachers are always interested in the work being done by BHF and the fact that the money they have raised is improving peoples’ lives.”

The BHF runs training sessions and provides all the resources you will need for this role. To register your interest or ask for more information, please call the BHF’s Sharon Oakley on 01904 270 776 or email oakleys@bhf.org.uk