Don't spook your heart this Halloween's

Here's a top Halloween tip...

Did you know that pumpkins count towards your 5-a-day for fruit and veg!

Check out some more of our top tips for how to have a heart healthy Halloween here

Blogging from the heart

"A lot of exciting things have happened recently. Not only did I get an operation date I got a new car!"

Leanne (pictured right) is a 21-year-old heart patient waiting for a heart valve replacement operation.

She's currently writing a regular blog for our young people's website yheart, and is into her fourth week of posting.

Read her latest entry here

Thanks to the Think Tank!

Our Young People's Outreach Officer Rory Miller (that's him on the far right in the photo) reports from the latest BHF Teen Think Tank, held in Manchester...

"The Think Tank was attended by 16 young people plus their parents, and we were joining for the first time with the Hearts4Teens Group, a cardiac youth group for young people with heart conditions based in north-west England.

"The Think Tank is made up of young people with heart conditions within the UK, and we meet up twice a year to discuss ideas and get feedback and advice on our projects for young people. Their contribution is invaluable to the work the BHF does for teenagers with a heart condition.

"Many of the young people who came along have known each other for a while now, so it was a good chance for them to catch up and share stories about what they had been up to.

"It was also a good chance for their parents to meet and talk with each other. For many of them, this is the first time they speak to another parent of a child with a heart condition.

"Our weekend included a guided tour of the City of Manchester Stadium. Even if your footballing allegiances lie elsewhere, you couldn’t help but be impressed by the stadium. I certainly was, and it's a far cry from my own team Luton Town's ground!

"It was a busy but extremely fun two days, and the young people we met gave us great feedback which we'll use to improve our websites, factsheets and information for young people with heart conditions."

The Think Tank runs twice a year and visits various parts of the UK.

If you're aged 13-19 with a heart condition and want more information please visit yheart.net/meet or email meetatteenheart@bhf.org.uk

Brighton Rocks!

Mike Knapton, our Associate Medical Director, joined our advocacy team Julia, Gillian and Katie in Brighton this week at the annual Labour party conference.

A late night at the main health hotel reception saw our crack team of lobbyists discuss Dodgeball and our policies on physical activity with MPs including Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health.

The next day was just as busy, with Mike and the team meeting Health Minister Ann Keen MP. She expressed a clear commitment to addressing CVD over the next ten years, and invited the BHF to continue to push hard on cardiac rehab.

Julia and Katie also buttonholed Lord Mandelson on cigarette vending machines as he made for the lift after finishing a cup of tea. He knew all about the BHF’s campaign even if he is against a full ban!

The Guardian’s political editor Michael White introduced our fringe meeting with the Stroke Association and Marie Curie Cancer Care by introducing "the 3 top killers and an MP".

Mike had a lively discussion with a supportive audience, stressing the importance of prevention and highlighting BHF Hearty Lives programme.

All in all, a profitable trip to the seaside!

Sven unveils his latest signing

Former England and Man City manager Sven Goran Eriksson, now at Notts County, has given his backing to the BHF North region events team - and is encouraging people in Nottinghamshire to sign up for the Robin Hood Bike Ride.

Director of Football Sven is calling on modern day Robin Hoods to take part in the event, and was happy to pose with some of the regional team at the Meadow Lane stadium.

Sven said: “I am really pleased to be giving my backing to such a fantastic Nottinghamshire event.

"Heart disease is the UK’s biggest killer and can affect anybody and keeping fit is a way of helping to look after your own heart.

"I hope that Notts County fans will sign up to this event and help the British Heart Foundation raise much needed funds

so they can continue doing a great job.”

The 36-mile off road cycle takes place on Sunday 1 November in Sherwood Forest and Clumber Pines.

For more information about the event or to sign up, visit bhf.org.uk/robinhood, email northevents@bhf.org.uk or phone 0800 085 2280.

Yoobots are back!

But this time they are not alone...

How Huw donated himself to the BHF

Tune in to C4 for The Secret Millionaire at 9pm tonight, and before the show watch one of our supporters Huw Roberts (pictured right) talking about the BHF!

Huw will appear in a Vodafone Foundation Donate Yourself ad, which asked members of the public which charity they support.

Huw is a key volunteer from Cardiff, and raised over £6000 for the BHF after completing a 70-mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

His drive to fundraise for the BHF came after his father was fitted with a pacemaker.