Your Heart Matters

We've just launched Heart Matters, a brand new free service for you if you're looking to improve, or look after, your heart health.

When you sign-up you'll receive a special Heart Matters pack (pictured right) including a 'heart risk' tape measure, a guide to heart health and a 5-a-day Food Diary.

You also get access to a dedicated Heart Matters HelpLine, staffed by cardiac nurses and heart health advisers, regular issues of 'heart health' magazine, plus the chance to receive regular support emails on issues including getting active, healthy eating and well being.

Find out more about Heart Matters at the new website

And don't forget to let us know what you think about our new free service by posting a comment below...

Will you go Red for Heart next February?

February is National Heart Month and a chance for you to take a stand against the UK’s biggest killer.

Every day, over 500 people die from heart and circulatory disease. The BHF is dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care and vital information.

In February, we’re urging people to raise funds and go Red for Heart.

To help you, we’ve put together a Red for Heart kit with all the tools and advice you need to make your fundraising a success.

Here are some fun ideas for starters:

• Have a Wear Red Day at work, school or in your community
• Throw a red dinner party or event with friends and family
• Organise a red-themed coffee morning or bake sale

… anything goes as long as it’s red!

Find out more at bhf.org.uk/red

Order your Red for Heart fundraising pack

Clear out your wardrobe to help beat heart disease

Did you know that one of the best – and easiest – ways you can help us is by donating your unwanted items to our shops?

The BHF has over 500 charity shops across the UK including our specialist books and music shops, and larger furniture and electrical stores. We urgently need good quality shoes, clothing, handbags, toys, bric-a-brac, DVDs, books and music.

Last year, our shops raised over £12.5 million to help beat heart disease. Donating your unwanted goods directly to our shops is a convenient, and cost-free, way for you to continue to support us, even in these tough financial times.

There are various ways you can donate your items:

• Pop into your local BHF Shop and drop off your unwanted items. Find your local shop or call 0844 412 5000.
• Use our book and clothing banks, located in supermarkets and car parks. Find your nearest collection point
• Door to door collections – we post you a plastic bag that you can fill and leave on your doorstep for collection on an appointed day.
• If you have larger items, such as furniture or electrical goods, please call 0844 412 5000.

Find your nearest BHF Shop

Find out more about our shops

Designer love

Have you seen this year’s BHF annual review website yet?

The site has been garnering praise from the design industry for its superb typography and use of Flash.

Of course, it’s not just the sleek design that makes the annual review site worth visiting. It’s full of inspiring stories of the people who’ve made our year – both BHF supporters and those who benefit from our support.

You can also discover how our pioneering research, vital support services, fundraising activities and campaigns link up in the fight against heart disease.

Visit the 2008 Annual Review website

Some of the design blogs we’ve appeared on:
Computer Love
Form Fifty Five

Xhilarate
My Design Award

From sofa slouch to exercise addict

Everyone has different motivations for exercising – from losing weight or letting off steam, to getting fit or keeping active in retirement.

But if you haven’t set foot in a gym since school, making that first move can be the hardest part.

Take for example BHF Heart Runner Andy Baston. Aged 43, he has a family history of heart attacks and a high-stress job as an air traffic controller. Andy worried for his health, but used to be too exhausted to do anything about it.

Then, two years ago, a friend said he was going to enter the London Marathon. Andy decided to take stock of his sedentary lifestyle and joined a running group at his gym.

Andy says: "The following year I ran a 10k race and a half marathon for the British Heart Foundation, and this year I ran the London Marathon for BHF in three hours 50 minutes.

"I couldn't believe it. Now (my wife) Tina has run a 10k race. If we can do it, anyone can. There's even a man of 75 who runs with my group.

"Competing for charity is close to my heart and will hopefully give me more years than my father and grandfather could enjoy."

If you’ve got an individual place in the Flora London Marathon, find out how you can run for the BHF

Find out how you can get active for your heart

Read more about Andy plus other inspiring stories on the Daily Mail's website

Stunning weekender for BHF teenhearts

Twenty-two teenagers from England and Wales, nine BHF staff, three nurse volunteers and three facilitators... it can only be the meet@teenheart Weekend Stunner!

The event brings together 13 -19 year olds who have a heart condition to share their experiences.

The weekend is important as these young people spend most of their lives isolated from other people suffering from similar conditions to themselves. An event where everyone has a heart condition offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to socialise and have fun in a supportive environment.

The residential event was organised by the BHF and took place last weekend at the Calvert Trust site in the Lake District. A weekend stunner it most definitely was. Glorious weather, challenging activities and a fantastic bunch of people made the event a huge success.

The participants took part in workshops on photography, story telling, or journalism. They also challenged themselves to outdoor pursuits including rock climbing, abseiling, horse riding and an assault course. Without a doubt, everyone who attended achieved something new – including the staff!

Look out for pictures, stories and 'vox pops' from the weekend that will be going onto the Meet@teenheart area of the yheart website over the coming weeks.

Heart Runners at the 2008 Great North Run

Take a look at our fantastic photos of Heart Runners who took part in last weekend's BUPA Great North Run, which we've posted on our Flickr online gallery.

Around 1,000 Heart Runners turned out for us and are hoping to raise more than £350,000 for our fight against heart disease, the UK's biggest killer.

Our thanks and congratulations once again to everyone who took part.

See the photos from the day now