The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling on the people of Warrington to help step up the fight against heart disease by joining a new fundraising group in the local area.
Around 21,500 people across Warrington are fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease. Each year these devastating conditions claim the lives of more than 495 people in Warrington alone.
The UK’s heart charity is calling on the local community to take heart and join the fight against heart disease by becoming a member of a newly-formed fundraising group set to launch in the Warrington area and raise vital funds for their research.
Laura Magee and Chris Connor have already joined the group and are encouraging others to join the exciting new group. Laura and Chris and both been impacted both personally and through family members suffering with coronary heart disease.
Chris survived an out of hospital cardiac arrest in 2008 whilst attending a local karate class. He was extremely lucky that a couple of people attending the class knew how to perform the lifesaving skill of CPR and kept him alive until an ambulance arrived. Chris was signed off work for over a year whilst he went through the recovery process. He even had to retake his driving test. Chris has been volunteering for the BHF for several years now and is joining the group as he loves the fact that he is supporting a charity that is making major breakthroughs on a daily basis into lifesaving research.
Chris said “I want to share my experience with others who may have experienced heart related problems and to continue to help raise awareness and funds in the fight to combat heart disease”
Laura Magee sadly lost her Father very suddenly in December 2016. Laura’s Father showed no signs of ill health and led a perfectly normal and happy life. After a post mortem had taken place it was revealed that Laura’s Father had severe coronary heart disease, otherwise known as the silent killer. Laura and her family can now see that there were signs that her Father wasn’t well but they didn’t recognise them.
Laura said “My husband and I completed the English Half Marathon raising funds for the BHF and a week after what would’ve been Dad’s 71st birthday and it was after this that I decided to join the fundraising group. The fundraising is vital to ensure that research into heart disease continues. If we can raise awareness and of what to look for in terms of early warning signs and educate people on how to keep their hearts healthy maybe other families will be spared the heartache of losing a loved one”
Our fundraising groups are the face of the BHF in their local communities. From running fundraising events, to supporting schools and local businesses and organising collections, they are a fantastic way to support our vital work.
Chris and Laura now feel they would like to give something back and help to save more lives by raising money for the BHF as part of the new Warrington fundraising group. “So many people are affected by heart disease and this group is a great way of supporting the BHF whilst having fun and meeting new people at the same time”.
Leah Goodhind, BHF Fundraising Manager for Cheshire, said: “Too many lives are lost in Warrington each year, and we’re determined to do everything we can to protect more families from this devastation.
“By joining the new Warrington fundraising group you can help us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heart disease. Together we can save more lives, and it’s a fantastic way to meet new people and make a real difference in your community!”
For more information about the new group and if you are interested in joining Laura and Chris, contact Leah Goodhind BHF Fundraising Manager for Cheshire on [email protected] or call 07500057015
