Red Wharf puts our latest Jog into orbit

A sea of red-shirted joggers pounded the pavements of London's Canary Wharf yesterday for the 13th annual British Heart Foundation Canary Wharf Jog.

Crowds gathered as superb dance troupe Ascension Eagles started the entertainment, and celebrity couple Christine and Neil Hamilton joined in a warm-up session led by Reebok staff.

Then, as the Hamilton's cut the start tape and the klaxon sounded, more than 1000 joggers set off around the Wharf to complete up to five laps of the 1km circuit, raising thousands of pounds for to help us beat heart together.

The Jog is facilitated by Canary Wharf Group plc, and is now a major community event for people who live, work and study around east London.

One of last year's top fundraisers, Jacqui Ellis, an executive assistant to Howard Boville and Ben Burgess, was back to raise more money for us in support of her brother-in-law, who had a heart attack at the age of 55.

Jacqui said: “What I think has really worked this year is the fact that there are so many people from the British Heart Foundation, supporting and encouraging everyone as they jog along.

"It really has made a big difference to me. It's very encouraging and we have had some laughs along the way.”

Did you take part in the Jog, or did you turn out to watch? If so, share your experiences by posting a comment below.

And for details of more BHF events this summer go to bhf.org.uk/events

Heart Runners make it a Marathon effort

A huge well done and thank you to all of our BHF Heart Runners who took part in the 2009 Flora London Marathon yesterday!

All in all around 650 Heart Runners set out from the start in Greenwich to run the 26-mile course to the finish line in The Mall, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to help our fight against heart disease.

Once again, a big thank you to everyone, including the dozens of BHF supporters who turned out at our bright red cheering points along the Marathon course.

See our online photo galleries from the 2009 Marathon

Did you take part in the Marathon? Share your own time and your story of the day with us and others by posting a comment below!

The BHF Heart Health Roadshow is back!

The all new Heart Health Roadshow launches this May and will be in Newham & East London until the end of July.

Our Heart Health bus will be at a host of supermarkets and other venues. Simply come onboard for your Free Lifestyle Check. There's no need to make an appointment – just pop in!

You’ll get a free assessment of your current lifestyle including a BMI check . Our friendly heart health advisers will give you guidance and support.

For a list of all the venues and more information see our Heart Health Roadshow on our main website

A Mother's Story - download our latest podcast

What is life like when you find out that your new baby has a complex congenital heart condition for which, currently, there is no cure?

How do you cope with your young son undergoing weeks and weeks of treatment in hospital in his first year of life, never knowing if when you say goodbye at the doors of the operating theatre it might be for the last time?

And what about the uncertain future your son and your family now face?

Our latest BHF podcast covers all of these questions as we hear from Marion, a mother from north London whose one-year-old son was born with a heart condition.

To listen to the podcast, simply subscribe to our podcast feed on the iTunes music store or alternatively download it directly from the BHF website (right-click on this last link and then select 'Save As' to save the podcast to your computer.

Gemma Atkinson opens our Canary Wharf Jog

Good luck to all our Hearts First runners at today's Canary Wharf Jog!

They'll be joined by actress and long term BHF supporter, Gemma Atkinson, who will open the event.

The jog takes place in Canary Wharf's Canada Square Park. All levels of amateur running are catered for, with participants able to choose to run between 1-8 laps of the 1.25km circuit. Registration opens at 16.00 and thee jog itself kicks of at 18.30. It's free to enter and you can still register on the day.

Post a comment on this blog if you want to wish your friends or family luck if they are running in the event - or if you are taking part then let us know how you got on and what time you managed!

For further information on the Canary Wharf jog and our other events see our Events web page.