The people of Lincolnshire are being thanked by British Heart Foundation (BHF) Shops after helping to turn their unwanted bags, boots and beds into lifesaving local equipment, including 77 defibrillators for the county.
Volunteering hours, donations and purchases by the local community in towns including Grantham, Spalding and Lincoln have raised a staggering £1.3 million over the year - money which has helped to fund nine heart nurses and five heart support groups in Lincolnshire.
BHF Shops are championing the community’s fight against heart disease and are keen to say thank you and tell locals exactly how the money they have raised is helping heart patients on a local level.
Karen Reynolds, BHF Area Manager said: “The generosity of people in the Lincolnshire area has been astonishing and we want to thank every single person who has joined us in the fight against heart disease.
“Quite often people don’t realise that the sofa or dress that they donate to a BHF Shop actually raises vital funds and helps pay for anything from an echo machine in the local hospital to a community heart support group.
“We couldn’t fund this lifesaving equipment or research in Lincolnshire if it wasn’t for the local community and we hope they are feeling proud by the difference they are making and inspired to keep visiting BHF Shops.”
In total, an average of 1,189 people die from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Lincolnshire every year and with continued support from local people, the BHF can fight harder to reduce this figure. CHD is the UK’s single biggest killer - around 80,000 people in the UK die from it every year.
The nation’s heart charity also currently funds 27 Heartstart schemes in Lincolnshire, which teach Emergency Life Support training in the community and schools.
The BHF also has Furniture & Electrical Stores that sell household items in Grantham and around the county as well as BHF Shops, selling clothes, shoes, CDs and DVDs in Grantham and elsewhere.
BHF Shops offer a free collection service that can be booked by phone. Call 0844 334 1400, or try their free online collection service for larger furniture and electrical items: bhforg.uk/free