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pulseautumn | winter 2013-14
this issueLURE scholarships 6 | Kim is living proof 9 | Three Peaks, three weekends 10 | Magic Weekend 17 | A lovely summer of 5Ks 22 | HRUK in the Midlands 25 | Healthy heart grants 29 | HRUK & SUBWAY® Heart Grants 32 |
Subway Family 5ksA wonderful summer of events p22
ReSeaRchgRantS Translational research grantsProfessor Martin thornhill, University of Sheffield / £98,802 – 12 months from money donated by Simplyhealth Do patients need antibiotic cover when visiting the dentist?
the Problem
Infective endocarditis is a serious infection of the inner lining of the heart. It affects around one in 10,000 people every year in the UK and can be life-threatening. Dental procedures are thought to be one of the main causes with up to one half of all cases being caused by bacteria found in the mouth.
For the past 50 years it has been standard practice across the world for dentists to give a dose of antibiotics to patients at risk of infective endocarditis before providing any dental treatment. However, the evidence that antibiotics are effective in preventing the condition has never been properly studied and is unproven. In March 2008, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) introduced a new guideline that this cover for at-risk patients should stop after finding that studies did not support the use of antibiotics during dental treatment. It was also noted that it has the risk of side-effects and allergic reactions in patients and may lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria or so-called ‘superbugs’.
the Project
Following a pilot study, the researchers will now use a full five years’ data on the prescribing of antibiotic cover by dentists and its effect on the number of cases of infective endocarditis which will give much better and more detailed evidence about the effectiveness, or not, of antibiotic cover. A rise in the number of cases will provide strong evidence that the NICE guidelines should be reconsidered.
the Benefits
The results of this study will be of great importance to all dentists and cardiologists in the UK as well as the many at-risk patients. It will also be of interest in other countries such as the United States and the rest of Europe where guidelines still recommend that dentists give antibiotic cover to at-risk patients.
Dr carrie Ferguson University of Leeds / £60,140 – 12 months Is Interval training the new exercise panacea?
the Problem
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the UK and being physically active is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways of reducing the risk of developing it. However, fewer than five per cent of the population actually achieve the Government-recommended 150 minutes of continuous, moderate-intensity physical activity per week with many saying it is because they do not have enough time or find exercise boring.
the Project
In this project, short-duration Interval Training and long-duration Interval Training, both involving fast walking, will be compared with standard continuous moderate-intensity exercise. The main aim is to find out whether people actually prefer to exercise in short bursts rather than continuously and whether they are more likely to continue with Interval Training at home.
Volunteers taking part in the study, who have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, will exercise in the laboratory on separate days following the three exercise regimes. After each session they will be interviewed about their preferences and will then be randomly allocated to a training group and asked to follow one of the three exercise regimes unsupervised at home for 12 weeks and to keep an exercise diary.
the Benefits
The research will show whether Interval Training is a preferable way of exercising compared with current government guidelines and whether or not participants continue with this training unsupervised at home. It will also show whether it was effective and if it was better than standard training at reducing risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Positive results may result in changes to Government recommendations, with the aim of getting more people participating in meaningful exercise and helping to reduce the number of people affected by cardiovascular disease.
Research grants 2 | Masterclass 7 | Helping Little Hearts Appeal 8 | Special People 9 | Our latest Ambassadors 14 | Look what we’ve been up to 16 | Company help 18 | Events 20 | HRUK in the Midlands 25 | Healthy heart grants 29 | HRUK & SUBWAY® Heart Grants 32 | The wonderful apple 36 |
contents
www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants
2 Research grants More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research 3
Prof Manuel Mayr King’s College London / £98,808 – 2 years a better test to assess cardiovascular disease risk
the Problem Assessment of traditional risk factors like obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol levels fails to predict cardiovascular disease in between 25 and 50 per cent of patients. At the moment, there are no reliable ‘biomarkers’ that can be measured in the blood to identify people before they suffer a heart attack or a stroke – something we urgently need to find.
the Project Using advanced technologies, this research team has developed a new ‘lipidomics’ test that can measure more than 100 different fats in the blood. They have found particular types of fats, not measured in current tests, that may help to identify people at high risk of heart disease and stroke. This project will characterise a unique ‘fingerprint’ profile of blood fats to identify people who may be at risk of heart attacks or strokes in the future and also in patients already receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease.
the Benefits An accurate test to predict who may develop cardiovascular disease would mean that lifestyle changes could be made or appropriate medical treatment given to help prevent these conditions and save lives.
Dr alberto Figueroa King’s College London and St Thomas’ Hospital / £93,032 - 12 months Improving care for patients with aortic dissection
the Problem The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, taking blood from the heart to all organs. Aortic dissection is a tear in the wall of the aorta which creates a false passage or lumen which is a life-threatening condition if left untreated and affects 3 - 4 people per 100,000 every year. Aortic dissection is more common in people with a history of high blood pressure and those who survive have ongoing problems with expansion of the false lumen leading to death from aortic rupture.
the Project The research team will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a simulation method to produce a computer model of the aorta which is unique to each patient. This will help them to understand the blood flow in the false lumen, what effect it has on the aorta and the likely outcome for the patients. It is hoped that this will allow them to decide which patients are at high risk of aortic expansion and, therefore, need earlier, closer follow-up or surgery.
the Benefits The aim of this project is to answer fundamental questions about this poorly understood but serious disease. The findings could help clinicians to predict which patients are at increased risk of developing complications and to make an accurate plan about how and when best to treat each patient, improving the outcome for patients with aortic dissection.
Dr Julia gorelik National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London / £125,188 – 2 years a new target for drugs to improve heart rhythm
the Problem The heart is not just composed of muscle cells but is made up of many different cell types. During development of the foetus and in some disorders – including the aftermath of a heart attack - new cells called ‘myofibroblasts’ appear. If too many myofibroblasts are present in the heart it can cause disturbances to its electrical rhythm - called arrhythmias – which can spoil the normal contraction of the heart muscle. This project will study how myofibroblasts interact with heart muscle cells and how they affect normal contractions.
the Project The team has found that bile acids in the blood can disturb contractions of heart muscle cells, but only if they are together with myofibroblasts. Using heart muscle cells alone, mixed with myofibroblasts grown in culture, the team will study in detail how bile acids interact with myofibroblasts. They will also investigate UDCA, a drug used to treat a range of liver disorders and which has been shown to prevent the adverse effects of bile acids on the heart.
the Benefits It is expected that this project will help to show that myofibroblasts represent an important new target for anti-arrhythmia drugs. The findings will help explain how myofibroblasts affect heart rhythm, helping to pave the way for the development of new and better drugs to restore a normal heart rhythm. The work will also focus on whether the drug UCDA can protect the heart against abnormal heart rhythms.
Professor angela clerk University of Reading / £114,583 – 2 years ‘Protein kinases’ as targets for new heart failure drugs
the Problem Heart muscle cells can die if deprived of oxygen, for example, during a heart attack, and because they cannot regenerate, some of the function of the heart is lost and heart failure may develop. Despite recent progress, current treatments for heart failure have limited benefit and the outlook for patients is poor. It would be a great step forward if we could find ways to replace dead cells by helping surviving cells to multiply or by giving extra cells such as stem cells.
the Project Protein kinases are a group of proteins that regulate every aspect of cell function including growth, division, survival and death. Using a computer-based approach, this project aims to identify all of the protein kinases that are present in heart muscle cells. Selected ones will then be studied in more detail using a range of techniques. Earlier work by the team has already shown that some protein kinases are present at high levels in the heart and so can be assumed to play an important role in regulating heart function but these have never been properly studied.
the Benefits This work will provide crucial insights into why and how heart muscle cells stop dividing. It is thought that if we know which kinases are present in adult heart muscle cells, this will pave the way for the development of new drugs to treat heart failure.
4 Research grants More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research 5
We feel this opportunity is an important start on their first steps of a career in medical research. The young people, the most promising in their year, could be the experts of tomorrow, studying in national and international centres of excellence and sharing their knowledge with others.
Masterclass
Promising students research recovery of heart attacks
One of Heart Research UK’s most important grant schemes is the £30,000 funding we give, each year, to two second-year students at the University of Leeds to carry out research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
We feel this opportunity is an important start on their first steps of a career in medical research. The young people, the most promising in their year, could be the experts of tomorrow, studying in national and international centres of excellence and sharing their knowledge with others. This year’s unique Leeds Undergraduate Research Enterprise (LURE) scholarships went to 20-year-old Josh Leader and 22-year-old James Gupta.
Josh, from Hertfordshire, looked into how cardiologists could predict how the heart muscle in some heart-attack patients has the ability to remodel and regenerate itself, which could lead to giving more personalised targeted drug treatments at an earlier stage. James, from Ormskirk, Lancashire, is researching how blood vessels in insulin-resistant patients can be treated with stem cells to make them behave like ‘healthy’ cells again.
Josh’s interest in cardiology has come about through a strong family history of heart disease. For James, it is all about finding ways to combat insulin resistance and the repair and regeneration of damaged blood vessels.
LURE scholarships
Cardiac MRI scanning in LeedsThe Leeds General Infirmary has a world-renowned reputation for cardiovascular magnetic resonance for coronary heart disease (CMR) and as HRUK’s HQ is just across the road, it was an obvious place to host our second Masterclass of the year.
This time, established cardiologists and radiologists as well as trainees joined Professors Sven Plein and John Greenwood, both consultant cardiologists, and leading experts in the field to view live cases and experience hands-on scanning so they could replicate what they had seen in their own hospitals.
CMR imaging is a safer and more accurate technique than normal tests for diagnosing problems with the heart as it gives clearer detail and is non-invasive. The process has also just been endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology.
Over 20 delegates attended the event from places as far afield as Plymouth and Newcastle. Professor Greenwood said: “The course was a unique interactive experience, offering hands-on scanning for all delegates, CMR live cases and an exceptional faculty of experts in CMR.”
Another unique MasterclassHeart Research UK’s unique Masterclasses reflect the vision of our founder, David Watson, to make heart surgery safer and for expertise and the results of research funded by the charity to be passed on to benefit patients as soon as possible. The courses help trainees and young clinicians develop their skills and share the latest techniques and ideas with experts from across the world as well as the UK.
We’re very proud to host them and, because there they are free to attend, trainees have new skills to use in their hospitals in all corners of the country.
6 Research grants More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research 7
helping Little hearts appeal Special PeopleCurrently, if an adult suffers a heart attack or is hospitalised because of heart problems, they leave hospital fully informed about the type of diet, exercise and general lifestyle regime they should follow – as well as being offered a full rehabilitation programme - but with youngsters, this rarely happens. Now, Heart Research UK has paid for research at the Children’s Health & Exercise Research Centre at the University of Exeter and confirmed that, for the vast majority of children, physical activity at an appropriate level is not only safe; it is positively beneficial and should be an enjoyable part of everyday life.
There is a great deal of scientific evidence that regular exercise in childhood has many benefits, including healthy development of the musculoskeletal system, body composition, coordination, flexibility, social skills and psychological wellbeing. There is also considerable evidence that a sedentary lifestyle carries long term risks to health. Clearly, it is important that all children, including those with an underlying medical condition, are encouraged to participate in sporting activities as fully as possible.
With our Helping Little Hearts Appeal, our ambition is to promote a more active lifestyle and to develop a rehabilitation toolkit for children who have undergone heart surgery or who are living with a congenital heart condition. This aim has inspired people across the UK to raise money to help children to live healthier, happier, longer lives. Two Lions Clubs were especially successful.
£11,000 record for East Midlands LionsPatricia Phillips, wife of District Governor Michael Phillips and Lions Club members from across the East Midlands smashed their target and made a record £11,000 for Heart Research UK. The money was raised by Lions Clubs across the East Midlands District through various activities and donations and was beyond Patricia’s expectations.
“Everyone across the district worked extremely hard... the financial climate has hit clubs very hard so this was a fantastic effort all round.” Their cheque for £10,906 will be used to support local children’s rehabilitation and was a special incentive to them to know that what they raised locally will be spent locally.
Wetherby Lions raise £500Lions Club members from Wetherby district raised £500 for the Helping Little Hearts Appeal. Over ten teams, including one from Heart Research UK, took part in a hardfought quiz. If you would like to help make sure that youngsters at your local specialist heart centre can get their rehabilitation toolkit, please contact Lynne on 0113 297 6202.
Kim is living proof of progressTwenty-five-year-old, Kim Botham, is a great example of the rapid progress that has been made in the treatment of heart conditions over recent years.
Kim was born with the transposition of the great heart arteries, abnormalities with one of her heart chambers, a narrowing of her pulmonary artery and a hole in the heart – a combination of serious problems that she would have previously not survived.
Her operation was delayed until she was four years old and paid for with money raised by the local community near her home.
It gave Kim a new lease of life, although when she was 13 it was decided she needed a heart pacemaker because of a low resting heartbeat. At 19, she decided that she wanted to have children so more high risk surgery was carried out which has given her as near a normal life as possible as a teacher in Rotherham teaching 7-8 year olds.
“At the end of the day if I had been born 10 years earlier, I would certainly not be here today without heart research,” said Kim. “People trying things out and attempting things is the only reason I am here today.”
Helping hearts with Loch Lomond swimWe know Loch Lomond can be very cold at the best of times, but Northumberland woman Suzanne Metcalff braved the temperatures to complete a one-mile swim challenge.
Suzanne, 26, from Ashington, completed her swim in under an hour – an achievement in itself. Her employer, Virgin Money, along with the Northern Rock Foundation, match-funded her efforts so her final total reached £716. Suzanne chose to raise money for us after taking part in our Healthy Heart Mark Award scheme. She’s encouraging her colleagues at work to get fit and live healthier lifestyles, as she’s seen first-hand the good work we do.
“Without research, many people with heart conditions may die prematurely which shows just how important a charity such as Heart Research UK is,” she said.
Raised
£716
8 healthy hearts feature Special People 9
Friends remember skateboarding hero, Bingo
Special People
Three Peaks, three weekends, one five-year-old
Rita and friends open their gardensHeart disease touches many of us so, when Newport Pagnell Inner Wheel President Rita Burge’s close friend had a quadruple heart bypass operation, she wanted to do something for our charity. Rita and her Inner Wheel Club colleagues and friends opened their four gardens to the public during our lovely summer and raised a fantastic £2,500.
Tube to TubeLondon actress Kylie Bates, and her mother Karen, found a novel way of raising money by walking the 25 miles between Hammersmith and Barking tube stations.
The mother and daughter team raised over £600 for HRUK, having pledged to do the overground walk to support more research into heart disease after Kylie’s father and Karen’s husband, Stuart Bates, 45, had to have a double heart bypass operation.
“People do so many things for charity but we thought this was something a bit different,” said Kylie, 25.
She confessed that the emotion got to them at the end of the walk. “My mum was in tears and my dad said he was so proud of us.”
Kat Mackenzie didn’t stop at the £2,000 she raised for us when she ran the Virgin London Marathon in April. She raised over £5,000 from an online auction of rare skateboarding items in memory of her friend, the respected Teesside skateboarding hero Steve “Bingo” Binks.
Bingo, who ran the skateboarding store Mischief in Stockton-on-Tees, died from a heart attack in 2011 aged just 35 and the online auction was part of a series of fundraising events organised by a group of his friends. Autographed boards, clothing and sketches were all donated by Bingo’s network of friends so there was very much a personal touch to it all.
Raised
£2,000
Raised £5,000
Plus
another
Five-year-old Amber Buckle from Wortley, Leeds is a real mini adventurer after conquering all three Yorkshire peaks, Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, over three consecutive weekends. She completed each peak in less than four hours with her parents, Kate and Ben, and was even kept company by Leeds Rhinos mascot, Ronnie the Rhino along the way.
“Amber loved completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks” said Kate. “She was so excited by the fantastic views, getting hands on with the climbing and seeing all the waterfalls. The best thing for us is that without Amber’s motivation and enthusiasm, my husband and I would never have done anything like the Three Peaks. Amber got us all involved and passionate about going out and doing things for a great cause.”
This isn’t the first time Amber has raised money for Heart Research UK. Earlier in the year, she and her parents completed the five mile Walk for All in the Yorkshire Dales and she isn’t stopping there.
Amber is a little girl with big ambitions and will have raised over £400 for us from the three different events. The family can’t wait to complete their next challenge together – the National Three Peaks.
She said “I wasn’t even tired after the Yorkshire Three Peaks. I want to do something bigger now. I want to get the rugby player with the poorly heart to race me round Odsal on a space hopper!”
Raised
£600
Raised £2,500
10 Special People 11Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk
For Helping HeartsYorkshire charity Ball – Leeds | Donation from Ball | £500
Josh hudson - Keighley | Ascot Gold Cup Mascot Race | £100
Shadwell Primary School | Cake Sale | £505
Faye Keatley - Merseyside | Skydive | £248
Lauren Sexton | National Three Peaks Challenge | £552
ellie Rossi - Derby | Bungee Jump | £199
Lisa Kenny - Manchester | BUPA Great Manchester Run | £1,484
Rachel Sharp - Edinburgh | Edinburgh Marathon | £321
Rod Swales - York | Annual Rock Concert | £1,000
Pam and andrew Bullivant – Ely | Plant sale in memory of Richard Fields | £150
Paul Beales - Chepstow | Camelot - Half Marathon Walk | £236
Sarah Brown - Leeds | The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon | £220
alan Rampton - Hinckley | Got-The-Trots Winter Wolf Run | £200
Michael clark - Leeds | Fairground Organ at various locations | £179
Val newton - Durham | Bike Ride from Morecambe to Bridlington | £192
Peter Beaver - Bexleyheath | Staying dry in January | £10
Dave Pearson - York | Three Peaks (own event) | £340
Jonathan Robinson - Wakefield | Leeds Half Marathon | £20
Dawn Rone - Leeds | Leeds Half Marathon | £10
christian Szczepanek - Leeds | Leeds Half Marathon | £215
Hot footing it for Heart Research UKIt was a blazing achievement for just under 30 brave people who came away unscathed after their fire walk.
Lisa Russell, our Yorkshire Fundraiser, the last one across the coals, was delighted with the unique fun idea to raise money for helping hearts. “They couldn’t afford to stand still as they ran across 20 feet of red hot embers at temperatures of up to 1,236 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a fantastic evening and everyone had a lot of fun as well as raising funds to help us in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. I’d particularly like to thank Joe Boyle who helped pull the event together.”
Joe organised the event in memory of his grandmother who suffered a fatal heart attack last year. He said: “There wasn’t anything I could do to help my grandma so I felt it was important to raise money for this worthwhile cause.”
Special People
Watch our video of the event: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-bWUzRqqYue
12 Special People 13
Inspirational JamesJames Gosling is one of those special people who, despite being disabled, has transformed his life and is now inspiring others. That’s why we have chosen him as the first Heart Research UK Healthy Living Ambassador, promoting our charity’s work and encouraging others to lead healthy lifestyles through exercise and healthy eating.
James, 23, suffers from cerebral palsy, but has completely changed his lifestyle after attending a disability awareness course run by his employers, Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. He realised that all the unhealthy habits being highlighted at the event referred to him.
“I was sitting on my own at home doing nothing but drinking unhealthy pop and eating nasty food and my weight had increased to 15 stone,” he said.
Look at him now - he’s lost four stone in weight, taken up cycling and drinks only water. He also feels better about himself which has given him the confidence to go out more. He’s also an inspiration to the other disabled people he is trying to encourage as part of his role with the “Fitter Life” project at Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, funded by a Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Grant and others in his work with the Rotherham NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, where he is a peer support worker.
“I speak from experience as well as from the heart,” said James. “ I wanted to come on board to help others believe they can achieve something on lifestyle changes like I did. I have been able to stop myself and change my life and want other people to realise they can do the same. It is about taking that step and doing something about it.”
James goes into special needs schools to tell youngsters his own story and about how he has managed to change around his own life.
Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK said:
“James has shown that with determination and the sheer will to make lifestyle changes – even when
coping with disability – you can succeed and improve your health
and your confidence. We’re delighted to
welcome James as our first Healthy Living ambassador.”
Adrian visits children’s heart wardWe’re very proud of our sports ambassador Adrian Purtell, the Rugby Super League player who had a heart attack last year and, through sheer determination and hard work, was back in a Bradford Bulls shirt within nine months.
To mark the first anniversary of his life-changing moment, he met children on the children’s ward at Leeds General Infirmary so he could see at first hand some of the fantastic things going on in heart surgery.
For Adrian, the visit to the Leeds Heart Centre was an emotional experience when he saw tiny babies overcoming their own personal battle for life. “Seeing children and babies in hospital brings it home
how grateful I am to be so healthy again,” said Adrian. “These youngsters and their families have been through a lot and are an
inspiration to us all.”
The Rugby League star was also able to meet Professor John Greenwood the cardiologist who treated him last year, the first time they had met since his heart attack.
Our latest ambassadorsWillie Poching, Sports AmbassadorOur latest Sports Ambassador is former Leeds and Wakefield Rugby Super League star Willie Poching, who decided to support Heart Research UK and help to get people to live healthier lifestyles after suffering a heart attack.
His health scare has made him appreciate life, not least his family, wife Maraea, and their three boys, William, 16, Bailey, 15 and Kobe, 11.
He was given the all clear and was soon back coaching the Wolves’ first team – similar to our other Sports Ambassador, Bradford Bulls’ Adrian Purtell, who suffered heart problems but has also returned to first team action.
Willie is baffled as to why a fit and healthy athlete should have heart problems.
“They said that what happened to me was down to bad luck really. One of the things that scared me was looking round the heart ward and seeing people in their 70s and 80s and asking myself ‘why did this happen to me?’ It told me that nobody is exempt and it can happen to anyone.”
His health scare has made him appreciate life, not least his family, wife Maraea and their three boys, William, 16, Bailey, 15 and Kobe, 11. “I am more appreciative of the time I spend with those people who are important to me,” said Willie.
Our events
Turn to page 20
14 heart Research UK ambassadors Fancy doing the great north Run? www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/ 15
Golfers swing for their hearts It was a real ‘who’s who’ of Rugby Super League when a group of star players came together to ‘putt’ hearts to the top of their agenda and tee off for Heart Research UK’s Helping Hearts Golf Day.
Hosted at Howley Hall Golf Club in Morley, local stars included Heart Research UK Ambassador and Bradford Bulls centre, Adrian Purtell, and his Bulls teammates Luke Gale, Heath L’Estrange and Danny Addy; former Leeds Rhinos player and current Warrington Wolves coach and another HRUK Ambassador, Willie Poching; Wakefield Wildcats players Lee Smith, Ben Cockayne, Danny Kirmond; and Huddersfield Giants Captain and 2013 “Man of Steel” Danny Brough.
Capital FM’s Danny Oakes’ team, “The Capital All-stars were first team winners, followed closely by The Miles Group, a sales and marketing consultancy, based in Huddersfield.
Adrian Purtell won the longest drive and former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper, Alan Starling, was awarded the title of the “Best Dressed Golfer”.
Special thanks to Aldermore Finance for sponsoring the 18th tee; Steve Bottomley for his efforts throughout the ‘Beat the Pro’ competition and also Kingston Jewellers of Pontefract and Lewis James of Huddersfield for their generous prize donations.
Matt helps people give heart disease the bootBoot camp organiser, Matt Woods, knows how to get people on their feet and their fitness levels up, so it was great when he decided to run a sponsored boot camp just for Heart Research UK.
The event raised over £300 and saw people being put through their paces over three hours of fitness training, activity and fun games by Matt who runs his own boot camps in Wetherby, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Tadcaster.
Swindon Tamils take “Road to a Healthy Heart”
The theme for World Heart Day was “Take the road to a Healthy Heart” and was the perfect time for a group of cyclists from the Swindon Tamil Association to
follow that lead by doing a 50-mile sponsored ride to Devizes and raised £165 for Heart Research UK.
The Swindon Tamil Association received a Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant of nearly £9,000 in 2011 for a project that focused on dancing, walking and health workshops.
They were inspired to take care of their hearts on the back of statistics that show that in the UK, men and women of the South Asian community have a 50% higher risk of dying from heart disease.
Since completing their project last year, 90% of the 345 people who took part said they would be continuing with the exercise/dance and walking clubs.
More than 95% felt they had benefitted from the project and had a better understanding of a heart-healthy lifestyle and healthy eating, while 40% confirmed that they had since made changes to their eating habits.
Magic Weekend for Heart Research UKBroadcast from the Etihad Stadium during the Rugby Super League ‘Magic Weekend’, a major new BBC TV programme, Long Live Britain, looked at three of the country’s biggest killer diseases, heart disease, liver disease and diabetes. Over 400 people were screened by doctors to see if they were harbouring any of these diseases. Some were found to have early signs of the diseases and should receive advice on treatment.
Heart Research UK had a prominent stand at the event as the fans arrived at the venue and it led to us meeting one of the programme’s presenters, Phil Tufnell. The former cricketer and TV star was given some advice about smoking and the damage it causes to your heart and arteries by our Lifestyle team, Barbara Dinsdale and Katharine Greathead, and he was fascinated by our ‘jar of tar’ prop which shows how much tar goes into the lungs of a smoker who smokes 20 cigarettes a day for a year.
Look what we’ve been up to
hRUK in the
Midlands
Turn to page 25
16 Look what we’ve been up to For more people stories www.heartresearch.org.uk/ 17
£30,000 from packaging firm DS SmithWe’re delighted that the UK’s leading supplier of corrugated packaging, DS Smith, chose Heart Research UK as one of its charities when it decided to do a sponsored cycle ride from Scotland to Cornwall. Even more impressive was the fact that they reached their charity target of £30,000 after a major fundraising push from 12 of the company’s UK sites.
Over ten days a group of Managing Directors, led by sector director, Gareth Jenkins, cycled a route of more than 900 miles from Livingston in Scotland to Launceston in Cornwall, visiting a number of factory sites along the route. A range of fundraising activities also took place locally in each of the DS Smith sites to add to the total. DS Smith PLC CEO Miles Roberts and DS Smith PLC Business Development Director Gary Saunders also joined the group for a leg of the challenge.
Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK, said: “Knowing that each mile raised over £110 and that their local bases were all well and truly behind them must have been a big incentive to carry on for 900 miles. Heart Research UK is going to make sure the money they raised locally will be spent locally. Our pioneering medical research and Healthy Heart activities will be helping hearts near them.”
£150,000 from A big “thank you” to everyone who supported the Simplyhealth campaign to reach 150,000 ‘Likes’ on its Facebook page. For every ‘Like’ the healthcare provider donated £1 to our charity which has paid for the £100,000 research project already mentioned on page 2.
Using TV and radio advertising, social media and PR, the campaign raised awareness of the potential link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease. Clare Lee, Head of Brand, PR and Digital at Simplyhealth was very pleased that our campaign engaged so many people on Facebook. “We would like to thank everyone who supported our campaign by Liking our Facebook page and who helped us turn the need for this important research study to a reality.”
Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK, said that the successful partnership with Simplyhealth had not only brought us this valuable research project but had highlighted how important it is to look after your teeth.
The £50,000 remainder of Simplyhealth’s donation will fund Healthy Heart talks at schools and community groups which will educate youngsters on the importance of dental health.
“This added bonus means we can get messages across to schoolchildren so they develop good habits that will last them a lifetime,” she said.
Staff in the Simplyhealth offices in andover also raised £1,493 from one of their monthly “charitable Wednesday” events.
Dan’s our boot camp manDanny Cipriani, one of England’s top Rugby Union players, teamed up with Heart Research UK with help from the coupon agency, Groupon, to head up a special Beach Body Beautiful boot camp for 15 people on Clapham Common, London and help raise awareness as well as funds for our charity.
The England international rugby player said: “I’m really pleased to be able to bring my expertise to the boot camp. Rugby is my passion and to be able to lead a class and to support such a great cause is something I’m really excited to be involved in.”
Gadget raffle We were delighted to have received over £300 from Leeds technology company VirtualDCS, the proceeds from a competition they held at the Buy Yorkshire conference at the Royal Armouries. Our Lifestyle team later returned the favour by holding a Healthy Heart day at the company’s Kirkstall offices.
Paperless policies and Caravan Guard raise £13,000Since July 2008, Caravan Guard has donated a pound to Heart Research UK every time one of its online customers chose to have their policy documents sent by e-mail only – a paperless policy. The electronic documents were so popular that the company has already raised £13,000 and expects to be handing over another cheque to us for as much as £10,000 for 2013. To show our gratitude, Lifestyle Officer, Katharine Greathead and Sarah Mirfin checked 24 Caravan Guard staff’s blood pressure, body mass index and advised them on living a Healthy Heart lifestyle.
company help
The Halifax Courier
18 Support from companies 19Join our healthy heart Mark scheme – call 0113 297 6206
Running and walking for Heart Research UKHundreds of walkers from across the country donated nearly £50,000 at our 17th Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in almost perfect walking weather. Taking on the demanding challenge of hiking three of the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales - Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – is no mean feat and it offers some of the most spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales in the process.
eventshRUK
Run, walk, sing for your heart
There’s always a warm welcome, too, in the North East for those taking part in the Great North Run and this year was no exception for the 32 Heart Research UK runners who finished the world’s biggest half marathon. Our runners raised over £15,000 – a magnificent effort from determined people who have not only rallied family and friends but have put themselves through hard training and hours of pre-event preparation.
Thank you to everyone who took part in these two demanding events.
cliff garrill from Harrogate completed his 12th three Peaks taking his tally for Heart Research UK to £12,000
nick & Richard green, family and friends
completed the Three Peaks in memory of their late father, Brian.
Heart Research UK Communications Manager,
chris child, completed his fifth great north Run with his son Marc.
emma Robinson
from Scarborough, who, earlier in the year, did the
Manchester 10K for us
Joe Boyle who three days later was running across
hot coals in a sponsored firewalk for HRUK.
20 hRUK events 21Interested? For details visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events
A lovely summer of 5Ks What a fantastic summer we had with the weather and lots of fun meeting all of those who took part in our SUBWAY® Helping HeartsTM Family 5K events across the country.
Everyone who completed the events got a medal and special T-shirt and a healthy SUBWAY® TO GO!™ lunch. It all began in Roundhay Park, Leeds in June and ended in Heaton Park, Manchester in September. In between we met hundreds of you in Lanarkshire, Scotland; Cardiff; Maidstone, Kent and Belfast – all having a great family day out as well as raising funds for Heart Research UK.
Apart from those who wanted to beat their best running times, some had personal reasons for taking part - like the Tankard family from Leeds whose two-year-old daughter Imogen had open heart surgery at six months old. Her mother Vicky firmly believes that research saved her daughter’s life. There was also the Pollard family from Burnley where 36-year-old mother Elizabeth took part in the Manchester 5k with her husband and children just three months after having open heart surgery.
In Belfast there was Aisling McCann from Fermanagh who was running in memory of her sister who died aged just eight from heart problems and in Cardiff eight-year-old Charlie Ellery and the Griffiths-Ellery family took part after he had surgery to correct his hole in the heart.
Maidstone saw Amy Duncan and her colleagues at SUBWAY® take part after her husband Robert was diagnosed with sudden death syndrome where his heart stops beating, while in Lanarkshire seven-year-old Cormac Stewart and his family from Eaglesham, Glasgow were among those taking part after the brave little boy overcame congenital heart problems.
We were joined by some of our Olympic stars too including gymnast Louis Smith in Leeds and Maidstone, pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale in Cardiff and Manchester and rugby star Tommy Bowe in Belfast.
eventshRUK
www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/subwayfamily5kInterested? For details visit
22 hRUK events 23Interested? For details visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events
Bikers prepare for Le Grand Depart As a prelude to next year’s Tour de France, Heart Research UK was chosen as the nominated charity for the Yorkshire Bicycle Show, a big success which demonstrated the appetite there is out there for cycling.
The link with Heart Research UK meant that proceeds from a roller racing event and £2 from every piece of Yorkshire Bicycle Show merchandise went to us.
Our charity is a big advocate of cycling which as an exercise is good for your heart. It is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine and has widespread fitness and cardiovascular benefits.
Getting the measure of Ben NevisBlue skies, sunshine and spectacular views across the Highlands and Western Isles greeted our ten intrepid trekkers who took on 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) high Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, to raise money for Heart Research UK.
For many of the group, motivation to conquer the mountain and raise money came from friends or family who have suffered from heart problems. Lee Desborough from Leeds was inspired to take part because of his granddad Les, 90 who had an operation performed by Heart Research UK founder, David Watson, on his mitral valve in 1969, after suffering a stroke on a family holiday caused by the faulty valve. A big thank you and congratulations to all of our walkers.
HRUK in the Midlands
hRUK in the MidlandsNick Bill Memorial Charity Golf DayTwenty-two teams of four took part in the The Nick Bill Memorial Fund charity golf day held at Olton Golf Club, Solihull. John Bill, Nick’s father, said: “We were delighted to hear that a new project at Birmingham Children’s Hospital funded by Heart Research UK at a cost of over £36,000 was supported from proceeds of these events.” (see P26) The project is providing a monitoring system which will enable parents of children recovering from heart surgery to have the knowhow, equipment and access to medical personnel and to be able to make informed decisions to give their child the best opportunity to enjoy a full and active life. The proceeds were shared by Heart Research UK and another well respected children’s charity, Acorns, who both received £6,000.
Redmayne Bentley ReceptionHeart Research UK was the recipient charity when stockbrokers, Redmayne- Bentley held a reception at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Guests were treated to performances by the talented Jody Smith, a violinist and member of the National Youth Orchestra who is a sixth form student from Edgbaston High School Birmingham. She was joined by West Midlands singer Lauren Alexandra, a long-term supporter of Heart Research UK, who as usual raised the roof with a medley of well-known songs. As the recipient charity, Heart Research UK also benefitted from a donation and sales of paintings by top watercolour artist Sue Howells who has been supporting the charity for the past six years John Lloyd, Midlands Regional Manager. Said: “The £400 raised locally, will be spent locally.”
Third ‘Heart & Soul’ Night’We were taken back to ‘all nighters’ and classic dance music when around 200 people stepped back in time to enjoy some much-loved Northern Soul classics at Calthorpe Old Boys Club in Digbeth, Birmingham (COBS) at the third ‘Heart & Soul’ night organised by Andrew Marshall of Ethan’s Gift, in memory of his late son, Ethan. Heart Research UK in the Midlands was also on hand to help with ticket sales and a charity raffle, raising £2,000 over the course of the evening. As with previous ‘Heart & Soul’ events all proceeds will go towards projects funded by Heart Research UK at The Birmingham Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit.
John Bill, Chris Tucker of Acorns, the joint organiser, and John Lloyd, HRUK Midlands Regional Manager.
hRUK in the Midlands 2524 hRUK events
HRUK in the Midlands
hRUK in the Midlands
New Children’s Hospital monitoring systemOur Midlands Manager, John Lloyd, went along to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to see a new monitoring system that could help babies returning home after complex heart surgery including equipment being used in a trial aimed at infants with single ventricle heart conditions. The new monitoring system could benefit between 50-60 babies a year and is being funded with a grant of £36,473
from money donated by supporters of Heart Research UK in the Midlands. As Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK, said: “The support from people in the Midlands has been great. They’ve already raised over £20,000 towards this project and with others in the pipeline they will really be helping little hearts. What’s raised in the Midlands is always spent in the Midlands.”
Another success at Emporio MariaHeart Research UK in the Midlands, Gem Magazine and Italian eatery, Emporio Maria, hosted a second charity dinner at the popular restaurant in Harborne. The evening was made that little more special by the brilliant saxophonist James Renford from Birmingham who played a selection of well-loved classics throughout the evening.
Another special guest was Kash ‘the Flash’ Gill, former four-times world Kick Boxing Champion who wants to support HRUK in the Midlands with future fundraising projects. Guests also took part in a charity raffle and auction, making £430 during the evening.
Artwork Cafe raises money for Heart Research UK
Art and fundraising came together when 80 guests turned up for the launch of a new community café, Artwork Café, and raised £300 for Heart Research UK. Artwork Café in Edgbaston’s Templefield Square, allows artists to sell and exhibit their work, whilst the café sells “heavenly” homemade cakes and afternoon tea. John and the café’s owner, Pat Hemmings, were joined by Deirdre Alden, Councillor for Edgbaston Ward.
Solihull School of Rock Performs Charity Concert A big thank you once again to the Solihull School of Rock for their charity concert for Heart Research UK in the Midlands. Held at the popular music venue ‘The Roadhouse’ in Solihull, junior students and their teachers entertained an audience of parents and music lovers for over two hours with Rock and Pop classics. The Solihull School of Rock have been holding musical events for us for over five years and we would like to say how much we appreciate their support, in particular Sharon and Gemma. The raffle and ticket sales from the evening will go towards projects funded by Heart Research UK in the Midlands.
Braunstone Community Carnival and Annual Christmas Display.Regular supporters of HRUK, Maria and Barry Sawbridge took part in the Community Carnival in Braunstone, Leicester and raised £100.
They also raised £500 from their very own Christmas winter wonderland at their home which they have been doing since 2009.
Each year the fundraising couple deck the outside of their home with a fabulous display of Christmas lights and even have a Santa’s grotto which has proved a huge hit with local children. It takes Barry two days to complete the decorations, and the Grotto is open from the 3rd December until 21st December.
Barry and Maria chose to donate the money they raise to HRUK after Maria’s mum, Betty Blowers, sadly passed away in 2009 from heart failure.
Each year has seen an increase in popularity and the couple hope Christmas 2013 will be their biggest fundraiser yet when they will also be selling Christmas cards, wrapping paper and ornaments. The work they have put in is incredible and on behalf of everybody at HRUK we would like to say a huge thank you to them.”
HRUK in the Midlands Raises £1,800 at Warwick Racecourse ‘Ladies Day’Warwick Racecourse hosted another hugely popular ‘Ladies Day’ event.
Visitors were able to enjoy the horse racing whilst basking in glorious sunshine as well as being treated to fashion and millinery shows inside the Grand Marquee throughout the day, providing an exciting mix of fun, fashion and racing.
Heart Research UK in the Midlands was invited to come along and take part in the event by hosting a stand in the Grand Marquee. Our banners decorated the barriers along the course, and we were given a special mention over the tannoy system during a break in the racing commentary. Our charity raffle, auction and end of day gate collection raised the fantastic total of £1,800 which will be used by our charity to fund local projects in the Midlands.
www.heartresearch.org.uk/midlands/ check
Raised
£430
Raised
£1,800
John, right, with Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Mr David Barron and research nurse Kim Jones.
hRUK in the Midlands contact our Midlands office on 0121 454 1799 2726
Thanksthanks
Health Awareness Day at Nishkam CentreOur Lifestyle team attended a health awareness event in the Sikh community organised by Inderpal Ubhi, the Nishkam Centre’s health and wellbeing co-ordinator. It was also a chance for Heart Research UK to be introduced to the Sikh community elders and their respected families by Pam Kaur, a volunteer at HRUK in the Midlands, and to outline some of our current projects. The event attracted over 100 worshippers as well as people from the local community, and Heart Research UK in the Midlands is looking forward to working closely with the Nishkam Centre in the future on community liaison projects in the West Midlands.
Charity Dinner at Rose Murree RestaurantHRUK Midlands and Gem Media hosted a charity dinner at the popular Indian Restaurant, ‘Rose Murree’, housed in a beautiful grade II listed Georgian building in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Guests enjoyed the delicious Indian cuisine whilst listening to the live entertainment provided by saxophonist, James Renford, pictured right, who has recently returned from Italy after a short tour with Sting and Jimmy Nail. We’d like to thank all those who attended for making it such an enjoyable evening, with special thanks to Sheila from Gem Magazine, Maria from Emporio Maria, Kickboxing Champion ‘Kash the Flash’ and Simon from Chamberlain’s Restaurant for joining us and kindly donating some great raffle prizes.
The event raised £1,270 which will be used to fund local projects in the Midlands.
“Tiger Heart Beat” in CastlefordUsing the strength of the Castleford Tigers brand, over 1,200 nine to ten year olds in primary schools have been learning about their amazing hearts. There were many fun sessions including ‘Movin’ & Groovin’ with rugby and dancing and ‘Eatin’ Right’ where they compared their family’s diet with an athlete’s.
Mascot and player visits and a colourful booklet helped to grab pupils’ attention and also reinforce some of the key lifestyle messages. Feedback was excellent with children commenting on how they’d enjoyed the events and learnt a lot about the heart and healthy eating. Some pupils were even inspired to discuss issues such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol or an unhealthy diet with someone in their family.
A successful week-long ‘mini-Olympics’ roadshow saw Castleford Tigers’ players take a break from the rugby pitch to visit schools and pass on their tips about how to stay fit and healthy. Pupils and families also joined in with fun pre-match, health-focused activities at two “Tiger Heart Beats Match Day Experiences”.
“In a Heart Beat” in Tower HamletsOver 300 primary school pupils and mothers from a local women’s group stepped into the ‘pod’ - a classroom suspended above the biomedical laboratories at the Queen Mary University of London. Taking the role of healthcare professionals, they learnt about their heart and how to look after it.
Many of the women involved had lost family members to heart disease or were suffering themselves and benefitted from the discussions about heart disease in their first language as well as the translated Heart Health fact sheet.
Here is one example of the beneficial effect of this project, which was run by The Centre of the Cell:
One of the mums always thought a heart attack was a natural and coincidental cause of death and was oblivious to the key role diet and lifestyle played in heart disease. Her diet, and that of her family, consisted of a lot of salt, oil, red meat, and foods high in saturated fat. She now eats more fruit instead of fried food, walks through the park at least twice a week and tries to walk instead of taking the bus. She has also advised her Bangladeshi friend next door to ask her husband to stop smoking around their children.
We’re grateful for the very generous donations in memory of loved ones:
£175 alan tucker, Solihull£50 george geoffrey hixon£112 a R Smith£1,000 Dorothy arnold£92 Marguerite McDonald Baker£110 Lavinia Liddell£20 Stephen John Parkes£10 Laura Shufflebotham£450 Morris William BeddoeAlso, our thanks go to the following for the donations they have made to Heart Research UK: £500 Mr & Mrs Smith, Manchester £80 Paula Middleton & Megan hatfield, Bishop’s castle: knitted toy sale £100 Inner Wheel club of Shirley £100 Barry & Maria Sawbridge, Leicester: community carnival£250 Waitrose, harborne - community matters£163 Kataryzyna Skupien - music concert
healthy heart grant Update
2928 hRUK in the Midlands healthy hearts
Latest hRUK healthy heart grants As usual we have received many applications from across the country. Here are those selected in our May round, with help from our Healthy Heart Grant and Lay Panels.
nottingham - notts county Fc Football in the community“Beat It”, £10,000
Twenty-five former homeless men aged 20-50, who are ex-drug addicts, alcoholics and smokers, will be encouraged to improve their cardiovascular health through fitness-focused sessions delivered by FiTC staff in a motivating and positive environment. The sessions will include a series of activities including circuit training and gym based work, and the men will be encouraged to set goals while acquiring new skills.
Bradford - Bradford Bulls Foundation, Bradford“Take Heart – Take Part”, £10,000
Bradford Bulls players, including HRUK’s ambassador, Adrian Purtell, will be inspiring over 1,000 primary school pupils in Bradford to make heart-healthy lifestyle choices through an exciting programme that focuses on a heart-healthy diet, food shopping and preparation (culturally appropriate) and being active through more than just organised sports.
Rotherham - Rotherham United community Sports trust“RUCST ‘Fit For Life’ Programme”, £10,000
Building on the success of their previous HRUK and SUBWAY® HHG, RUCST staff and our Healthy Living Ambassador, James Gosling, will be giving 60 adults, who are disabled or have poor mental health, the opportunity to build their fitness and lead a heart-healthy lifestyle via multisport activities, circuit training, food diaries, weight management and behaviour change.
Leigh - Leigh Youth and community Development trust “The smarter heart adventures project”, £9,400
The seeds of a heart-healthy lifestyle are being sown early as more than a thousand five to seven-year-olds in primary schools in the Leigh area follow fun characters ‘Kit’ (the Trust’s mascot) and ‘Smarter Heart’ on a hearty adventure.
The animated computer programme, songs, riddles and physical activities will be included along with other activities about the benefits of exercise for the heart.
Motherwell - Motherwell Fc community trust, Lanarkshire“Well Hearts”, £9,300
Around 1,500 pupils from 20 primary and secondary schools in Lanarkshire will focus on the essentials of maintaining a healthy heart with fun sessions on ‘Know your heart and how it works’, ‘Fuel Your Heart’, ‘Don’t clog your lungs with smoke’, ‘Go with Healthy Heart drinks’ and ‘5-nil to the heart – eat five portions a day’ along with coaching sessions. Pupils will also become Healthy Heart champions and encourage their younger peers.
Southend-on-Sea - active Life For a healthier You“Active Hearts”, £8,500
Over 900 nine to ten-year-olds in primary schools in Southend will be inspired to take responsibility for their own heart health as they learn about their hearts, the value of exercise and eating healthily and the risks of smoking, drugs and alcohol. The heart and lungs circuit game will see them run through ‘vein’ and ‘artery’ tunnels carrying red and blue balls (oxygen and carbon dioxide), do a Heart nutrition circuit and food group game, get their hearts racing with skipping and dancing, and complete logbooks.
Are you interested in community projects that promote heart-healthy lifestyles? Would you like to join our Lay Panel and help score a dozen pre-selected applications twice a year? For more information, please contact the Lifestyle team on0113 297 6206 or 0113 297 6213
30 healthy hearts 31to apply for a grant visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants
hRUK & SUBWaY® heart grants Putting heart health on the map in AxminsterJust under 300 residents in axminster have been putting their heart health in focus through activities at the ‘heart hub, a food and information centre in the middle of town, funded by a hRUK and SUBWaY® hhg of almost £10,000.
Staff at ‘Health and Local Food for Families’ have been working with people on a diet including those with diagnosed heart disease, those more at risk of it and especially those who are overweight/obese as well as teenage, overweight girls.
Through cooking courses, vibrant newsletters packed with cooking tips, recipes and information, a stand at the Axe Vale Festival, as well as an informative ‘shop window’, staff have been working on de-mystifying healthy eating and focused on eating less salt, more fruit and veg, as well as choosing low-fat protein and dairy foods, eating more oily fish and eating less saturated fat and sugar.
One Heart Hub member, who had previously had a heart attack, lost an amazing six stones and has never felt better. Local GPs have endorsed the project and now send patients to them.
Feedback from a Heart Hub member:
“Thank you so very much for your help and support so far. I have taken on board all the things you’ve said and written about and already I can see a difference in the way I feel and my attitude towards food.”
Skipping, cooking and painting for heart health in Northern IrelandSaints Saving hearts, a project funded thanks to a £10,000 healthy heart grant from hRUK and SUBWaY®, has given over 1,700 local people an opportunity to learn more about how to look after their hearts.
The Saints Youth Centre, which is based in the heart of Twinbrook, an area of West Belfast with high levels of deprivation and health issues, put together an original project that included:
‘cooking Lean for a heart that Beams’ for young people aged 12-18 with a professional chef teaching them key cooking and food hygiene skills and healthy recipes.
‘Stay Smoke Free for a healthy heart Beat’ included anti-smoking workshops for a group of teenage smokers along with art sessions with a local professional artist. A hard-hitting mural about the dangers of smoking now features on the outside wall of the Saints Boxing Club and was launched with the Deputy Mayor of Belfast.
Skip2BFit for a healthy heart The experienced and energetic Skip2BFit company joined Saints Youth Centre staff to inspire over 1,000 pupils to focus on their heart health, exercise more and give their body nutritious food.
Cherith McClay, Youth Support Worker, praised the project:
“Saints Saving Hearts has been so beneficial for everyone in the Colin community, particularly our young people who got involved in exciting and creative projects that, without this grant, would not have happened. We cannot thank Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® enough for their generosity.”
3333hRUK & SUBWaY® healthy heart grants32 hRUK & SUBWaY® healthy heart grants
anglia region
activLives, ‘Step to the Beat’ - Ipswich, £7,721
Over 45s in Suffolk will be sliding towards a healthier heart as they learn Nordic Walking, a fun, easy and low cost way to improve cardiovascular fitness. Instructors will be trained and participants encouraged to set up their own walking groups. This project will involve 100 people, mainly those from deprived areas, and people from the BME community.
access community trust, ‘healthy hearts - Lowestoft, £5,500
An in-house survey of the Community Trust’s clients, who are homeless, socially excluded, disadvantaged and often don’t access mainstream health services, found that three-quarters of them smoked and four out of five only have one or two servings of fruit and veg a day. To address this, a Healthy Heart advisor will be recruited who will support 100 men and women and encourage them to have higher health aspirations and make positive lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of heart disease through this year-long programme.
tyne tees region
newcastle eagles community Foundation, ‘healthy hearts Basketball Roadshow’ – newcastle, £9,700
Over 600 young people from ten Special Needs schools in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear are setting their sights high as Eagles basketball players inspire them to make healthy lifestyle choices and take care of their hearts. The fun roadshow will include competitions and activities about eating healthily and not smoking, and the chance to work on their fitness in coaching sessions.
central region
the albion Foundation, West Bromwich, ‘active albion’ - Smethwick, £9,800
Around 1,400 children from 12 primary schools in Sandwell and Dudley, areas with high levels of obesity and heart disease, will work on their balance, coordination and cardio-fitness as they try a range of sporting activities and learn how to support their hearts through healthy lifestyle habits. At the end of the programme, ten pupils from each school will be invited to a festival at West Bromwich Football Club.
hRUK & SUBWaY® heart grants
hRUK & SUBWaY® heart grants
Scoring a goal for heart health in Scotland For the past two years, ayr United Football academy - the first ever hRUK and SUBWaY® healthy heart grant in Scotland – has visited over 30 primary schools in ayrshire helping pupils to give their lifestyles a kick in the heart-healthy direction.
Academy coaches gave action - packed, football and nutrition focused sessions to over 850 children aged 10 to 12 who also worked through a food and exercise diary in their ‘Fit for Football’ logbook. The great news is that additional external funding has now been secured to continue this great programme for a third year.
“The Healthy Hearts programme is great for the schools and kids. I have learned bits about the healthy side of being active and especially found the Healthy eating workshop very worthwhile. It would have been great to have something like this at my Primary School when I was growing up,” said First Team Player and Ayr United Football Academy Community coach, Michael Donald.
Recently awarded hRUK and SUBWaY® hhgsWe are in our fourth year of awarding these grants, made possible thanks to money raised in SUBWAY® stores and fundraising events run by franchisees.
Recently awarded hRUK and SUBWaY® hhgs
northern Ireland
crusaders Youth academy, ‘crusaders Pulsation’ - Belfast, £9,500
Crusaders Youth will be encouraging over 400 young people and their families to become fans of a heart-healthy lifestyle by offering a range of courses in their local community, one of the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland. ‘Setting your heart up for the day’ will teach young people aged 10 to 16 about the importance of having breakfast and how to cook a healthy one, and other programmes will see young people work on their fitness.
34 hRUK & SUBWaY® healthy heart grants For more information www.heartresearch.org.uk 35
Heart Research UK, Suite 12D, Joseph’s Well, Leeds LS3 1AB or call 0113 234 7474 Fax: 0113 297 6208Email: [email protected] Website: www.heartresearch.org.uk
thanks to our partners
Registered Charity No. 1044821 Registered Office: Suite 12D, Joseph’s Well, Leeds LS3 1AB Company limited by guarantee No. 3026813 Registered in England.
the wonderful appleapples are rich in fibre, nutrients and antioxidants and, as part of a varied, healthy diet, can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. this wonderfully versatile fruit can be eaten in lots of different ways from raw, grated or juiced to baked, stewed or pureed. here’s a delicious recipe from our partner, Kanzi apples.
Grilled Trout with Apple and Fennel Remoulade:
Serves 4
1 bulb of fennel
2 Kanzi apples
¼ of a celeriac, peeled
6 tbsp low fat Crème fraîche
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp chopped parsley
A handful of rocket leaves (optional )
4 small trout filleted, scaled and pin boned
A little olive oil
Finely slice the fennel and place in a bowl. Wash the apple then coarsely grate, leaving the skin on, then grate the celeriac. Mix everything together, along with the crème fraiche, lemon juice and mustard. Set to one side in the fridge for an hour or two. When ready to serve, stir in the parsley and rocket and season with pepper.
Pre-heat the grill. Brush the skin of the trout with a little olive oil, season, then place skin side up on a baking tray. Place under the grill and cook for 4 minutes until the skin is crispy, then turn the fish and cook for a further 2 minutes on the flesh side.
Serve the trout with your Kanzi apple remoulade.
