London to Brighton - Doing It for Dad (Part Four)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is cycling in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is one of our guest bloggers for the event.

Here's his latest update on his training and fundraising progress in the run-up to the big day...

"Training has been going well! It's much easier to motivate yourself when the weather is good. I've been doing more running than cycling over the last two weeks or so, as I am finding it it building my stamina up more.

"I've done a couple of long bike rides to keep the legs working, as I find that if I dont go for a long cycle for more than six days my legs really hurt again. But if I keep I regular they are fine - what a wimp I am!

"I'm going to pick it up a bit over the next week or so and start cycling to things that I need to do anyway, like going to the shops or going into town.

"That way at least I can feel there is a purpose to the training. Strangely, I have also found the motivation of a pub lunch on a long cycle ride helps me to get to the finish!

"Until next time, Chris..."

Are you getting ready for the London to Brighton Bike Ride this year? If so, let us know how your training and preparations are going (or not!) so far by posting a comment below...

See all posts by Chris here

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!

Sarnie not up to scratch?

A widely reported story in the media today details how unhealthy some shop bought sandwiches can be. Many contain high levels of salt and saturated fat.

Fortunately you no longer need to fret about your daily sarnie. We've put together some top tips which we hope will help you enjoy a heart healthy lunch.

See our Working Lunch top tips on our main website. Enjoy.

Read more healthy lifestyle Top Tips

Doing the London to Brighton Bike Ride?

Calling all our London to Brighton bike riders ....it might be a tough ride but at least you can look stylish while you pedal.

There's still time to order one of our red t-shirts or blue sweatshirts, complete with a nifty wheel design.

To order go to the London to Brighton order page on our website now.

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

Cheer leaders wanted!

While our 700 BHF Heart Runners pound round the Flora London Marathon this Sunday why not come and cheer them on?

Our Heart Runners are hoping to raise an impressive £900,000

We're looking for enthusiastic supporters to come along to one of our BHF cheering points and cheer our runners on. If you are able to help, please contact Katherine Shirtcliffe at shirtcliffek@bhf.org.uk.

Among this year's runners needing a big round of applause is Holby City actress Phoebe Thomas (pictured). Phoebe is hoping to beat her last year’s time of 3hours 35minutes.

Want to challenge yourself? Find out about all our 2009 events.

You can run, and you can Hyde

A huge well done and thank you to all of the BHF Heart Runners who took part in our 10km Hyde Park Jog in London last night.

Hundreds took part on a gorgeous Spring evening, including our very own Go! Team (pictured above) - all members of our Heart Health and Policy departments - who donned stylish '80s gear including legwarmers to run the course.

All in all, the perfect scene-setter for the upcoming Flora London Marathon on 26 April, in which 600 of our Heart Runners will cover 26 miles to raise vital funds for us.

View photos of the run

Did you take part in the Hyde Park Jog? If so, let us know how you got on by posting a comment below...

London to Brighton - Doing It For Dad (Part Three)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is cycling in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is one of our guest bloggers for the event.

Here's his latest update on his training and fundraising progress in the run-up to the big day...

"Hi everyone! It's been a bit tough going this week. No particular reason, just that I found it hard to motivate myself after a day a work to go out and cycle or run for a couple of hours - a feeling I'm sure that many of you can understand.

"Having said that, I have still done two gym sessions and two long bike rides - one of ten miles and the other a little bit less. Still using the ankle weights, which I definately recommend. They help you train when you are just going about your normal buisness.

"On the fundraising front, I've found some people being a bit tight due to the credit crunch, but it is ticking along nicely. My company britishinformation.com have said this week they will be sponsoring me to do the ride, which I'm sure will boost the pot quote a bit.

"I was getting a bit bored of cycling on the roads where I live, so I'm doing a few rides further afield than my local area Dartford, and am hoping that will give me some more inspiration.

"All in all it's going well though, and it helps knowing that you are getting fit for a goal not just for the sake of it."

Meet our volunteers...

This April BHF Shops are looking for volunteers to help out in some of our 580 shops across the UK.

Maybe you think helping out in a charity shop is something for older, retired people?

Think again. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, young, old, retired, students. It doesn't matter who you are - we're just looking for enthusiasm.

Take Caroline, pictured top right. She's became a volunteer in order to make friends when she moved to the UK.

Or Brian, who's found a renewed sense of confidence since volunteering.

Meet more of our volunteers and find out how you can make a difference too.

New Genetic Information Service - helping families

Every year 500 seemingly fit, young people die suddenly with no prior symptoms or warning, from a presumed heart condition.

Our new Genetic Information Service (launched with the Department of Health) helps relatives deal with the consequences of losing a loved one to an inherited heart condition.

This service supports bereaved families get an assessment by experts in an appropriate clinic. This could potentially save hundreds of lives by detecting and treating an inherited heart condition in other family members.

If someone in your family has been diagnosed with or died from an inherited heart condition call GIS on 0300 456 8383. Lines are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday (calls are charged at local rate).

London to Brighton 2009 - Doing It For Dad (Part Two)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is taking part in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is blogging about his training for us.

If you missed his first blog post you can read it here - meanwhile here's the second of his weekly instalments...

"Since I last wrote I have had a good week on training front. I have started wearing some ankle weights when i am not training too, and am finding that these are helping my legs to get in shape.

"The tops of my legs have been killing me after I do the long weekend cycles. Mind you, these ankle weights do look funny - when they are covered with jeans I look like I have elephant feet.

"I did a 12-mile cycle at the weekend, and did not find it too bad considering that it was mostly uphill. I purchased a new bike for this, which I got at the weekend.

"I think the new one has made it easier than my knackered old thing i was using before. Am also looking at fancy dress outfits I can do the London to Brighton in!

"I am doing it with a friend of mine, Shaun Buckle, so let me know if you have any funny ideas for the two of us. The only thing I'm ruling out is a kilt.

"I am finding that running every other day is proving to be as much help to us as the cycling practise. Talk again next week!"

If you're also taking part in the ride and would like to share your training experiences or other L2B stories with us and others, please post them in the comments area below...