pulse

Medical research special 2015

Special medical
research issue
Medical Research
in the UK
Predicting a heart attack
Can antibiotics prevent
cardiac arrhythmias?
Future treatments with
stem cells
Childrens Rehabilitation
Special people
Family Hearts first
UK-wide events
Helping Hearts near you

Helping Hearts with pioneering medical research

MEDICALRESEARCH
in the UK
Thanks to the supporters who make medical research their
number one charitable cause, UK charities spend 1.3billion
a year on research. Thats over a third of all publicly funded
UK medical research, at 364 institutes, universities and NHS
facilities across the UK.

These charities belong to the Association of Medical Research

Charities and no matter how large or small, they all work to the
same high standards, ensuring that every pound is spent on
research of the very highest quality. The Government helps with the Charity Research Support Fund
that ensures that charities only fund direct costs in line with their charitable objectives, not for the
running costs of universities and, of course, it makes facilities in the NHS available at no cost.
The same doctors and other clinicians who are looking after patients carry out research and clinical
trials every day in the NHS - not just in the large centres but at hospitals near you too. Their research can
be laboratory-based, working with patients or analysing information for patterns to give more insight into
conditions. Universities and research institutes also host many projects. Working together, they can find
answers, fill gaps in knowledge and change the way that clinicians treat patients. We all benefit from past
research and, in the future, will gain from current research that is aimed at improving patients quality of
life, treatment, care and avoiding early deaths.

Medical research continues to develop at

a ferocious pace. Support from medical
research charities such as HRUK has become
essential to enable scientists and clinicians to
respond quickly and convert discoveries into
new treatments or ways to prevent disease.
Importantly, it enables doctors and scientists
to concentrate their efforts on key medical
problems that the UK public want us to work on
and try to solve.
Prof Jon Gibbins, University of Reading

In a new survey conducted

on behalf of the National
Institute for Health Research
Clinical Research Network
(NIHR CRN) 89% of people would be willing
to take part in clinical research if they were
diagnosed with a medical condition or
disease. An all-time-low figure of just 3%
said they would not consider it at all. Also,
95% of people think it is important that the
NHS carries out clinical research.

For every charity 1 the government

gives universities up to an extra

26p for indirect costs

Medical research

ts
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ev 16
UK age
HR e P
se

How we decide which grants to support

We look for research that will benefit patients as soon as possible. Our founders aim was to make
heart surgery safer but over nearly 50 years, we have funded pioneering medical research into the
prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
Many of the treatments and procedures we now take for granted may not have happened as soon
as they did without our help. This is certainly true for the first successful heart transplants and the
implantation of the first artificial heart pump. Nowadays, we fund stem cell research; improving
scanning, imaging and diagnostics; arrhythmia treatments, better surgical procedures, tests to predict
heart attacks and, importantly, heart failure treatment. Youll see a taste of what we do with our new
grants featured in the following sections and theres plenty more information on our website;

www.heartresearch.org.uk

As an AMRC member, we have a gold standard

process for giving out our 150k - 250k grants.
In fact, Heart Research UK has been awarded a
certificate of Best Practice in Medical and Health
Research Peer Review. All our applications are
reviewed, not just by our own medical panels, but
by independent experts from across the world. This
ensures that our process is fair and unbiased and
gives our own panels extra assurance from people
who have expertise in their particular field.

Our internal and external reviewers

come from prestigious centres
of excellence in the UK, Ireland,
Germany, Denmark, Greece, Italy,
Switzerland, The Netherlands,
Austria, Finland, Japan, Canada,
USA, Malaysia and Australia. Many
are household names such as
Harvard, Trinity College Dublin,
McGill University Montreal,
Hannover Medical School, MIT,
New York and the Universities of
Heidelberg and Milan.

Helping hearts near you

Since 1967, Heart Research UK has funded nearly 22m of medical research - currently, more than
2.6m worth in 14 centres. In the last ten years, over 10m worth in:

Belfast | Manchester | Leicester | Edinburgh | Middlesbrough | Birmingham | Leeds |

Aberdeen | Bradford | Oxford | Newcastle | Derby | Liverpool | Bristol | Warwick |
Southampton | Cambridge | Brighton | Cardiff | Exeter | Nottingham | Reading | Hull |

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

NEWGRANTS
Translational Research (TRP) Grants
Heart Research UK has awarded 724,731 to six Translational Research Project Grants that aim to
bridge the gap between scientific research and patient care, bringing about clinical benefits in the
most efficient way.
All grant applications are rigorously assessed by leading scientific and medical experts across the world
to ensure that we award funding to the very best research projects. The first four grants demonstrate
how we invest in projects that could change current practice. The last two, involving stem cells, show
how the future could see new, pioneering ways of preventing and treating heart disease.

Studying the effect of

oxygen on blood flow
to the heart in coronary
artery disease
Professor John Greenwood
University of Leeds / 86,551 12 months

The Problem
Giving extra oxygen to patients with chest pain has been standard teaching practice in medical schools
for over 100 years. However, there is some evidence that increasing the oxygen level in the blood above
the normal level has harmful effects and may unexpectedly reduce the blood supply to heart muscle. It
is not entirely clear how this happens but research suggests this could be due to increased resistance in
the very small blood vessels of the heart.
The Project
Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the project aims to show the effects of breathing high flow
oxygen on the blood supply to the heart muscle. MRI is a non-invasive way of measuring the blood flow
to the heart muscle and can also be used to assess the oxygen level in the heart tissues. Pilot work has
shown that breathing high flow oxygen reduced the blood flow to the heart muscle by up to 18 per cent
in patients with severe coronary artery disease and 15 per cent in healthy volunteers.
The Benefits
If the findings show that using high flow extra oxygen actually reduces the blood supply to the heart,
rather than increase it as one might expect, then it could radically alter the care given to patients with
chest pain.

www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants

Research Grants

Professor Jules Hancox

University of Bristol / 117,433 24 months
Can macrolide antibiotics prevent druginduced cardiac arrhythmias?
The Problem
Certain medicines can affect the normal electrical
activity of the heart and cause arrhythmias. These
abnormal rhythms can either spontaneously
get better or degenerate into a fatal rhythm
disturbance. Some antibiotics, when taken at
high doses and/or when other risk factors are
present, have been linked with the development
of arrhythmias but there is also a suggestion
that the antibiotic erythromycin may, at low
concentrations, actually block the cardiac sideeffects of other drugs.
The Project
This project will study whether low levels of
erythromycin can block such effects and
investigate the mechanisms involved. The team
will record the electrical activity of cells and carry
out computer simulations to study whether low
concentrations of erythromycin block the effects
of other drugs and explore the mechanisms
involved. They will also test whether other related
antibiotics have similar actions to erythromycin.
The Benefits
This project aims to answer questions about
the causes and prevention of drug-induced
arrhythmias. The results may lead to new ways of
preventing or treating harmful drug-induced cardiac
side effects that can affect the quality of a persons
life and in extreme cases cause sudden death.

Professor Martin Bennett

University of Cambridge / 109,776 24 months
Developing a test to predict a heart attack
The Problem
Heart attacks happen when an artery that
supplies blood to the heart muscle becomes
blocked, caused when the lining of the artery tears
at a weak area. Even with the best techniques,
only 1 in 10 areas of the artery lining, identified as
high-risk, cause a heart attack over the following
three years. We need better techniques to identify
which arteries are at high risk.
The Project
The team has developed a new imaging technique
combined with analysis of the strength of the
artery lining to find the weak spots. This technique
has been found to work well for patients with
a stroke and can spot those patients who are
susceptible to another stroke in the future. They
now plan to see if it can predict those who might
have a heart attack.
The Benefits
If doctors can identify high-risk areas, using this
new imaging technique, then patients can have a
stent implanted to prevent these heart attacks.
Patients with low-risk areas would also be able to
avoid unnecessary procedures to implant stents.

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

Professor Paolo Madeddu

Bristol Heart Institute / 149,705 24 months
Treating heart attacks using cell therapy
The Problem
Coronary heart disease is caused by a build-up
of fatty deposits in blood vessels of the heart.
These vessels eventually become blocked leading
to a lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle
and a heart attack. Current treatment is usually
coronary artery bypass surgery, a major surgical
procedure, which involves taking a vein from
another area of the body and using it to replace
the damaged blood vessels in the heart.
The Project
The team has been researching new ways to
improve blood supply after heart attacks using
cells called pericytes, taken from blood vessels
in the leg. Pericytes have been grown in the lab
and then injected into heart muscle damaged by
lack of oxygen. The team has shown that these
injected cells bring about an increase in the
number of blood vessels and greater blood flow
to the damaged area, resulting in a better oxygen
supply to the damaged heart.
The Benefits
The work will provide valuable information on how
injected pericytes promote an improved recovery
from a heart attack, further demonstrating this cell
therapy technique is a viable, less invasive, future
treatment for coronary heart disease.

Research Grants

Dr Georgina Ellison
Kings College London / 113,260 24 months
Studying the effects of new cancer drugs on
cardiac stem cells
The Problem
It has been discovered that, in the adult human
heart, there are groups of stem cells the master
cells capable of multiplying and developing into
new mature cells and can also help the recovery
of injured cells. In the heart this is essential, as
heart muscle cells are crucially important and
cannot replace themselves.
The Project
This project will examine the effects of a group
of new drugs on the stem cells present in the
adult heart. These drugs, called tyrosine kinase
inhibitors (Trk-Is), have recently been developed
to treat certain types of cancer. Although they
are effective, several have been shown to have
toxic effects on the heart but the cause of these
problems is not known. The researchers suspect
the drugs may be killing or damaging the cardiac
stem cells and will study the effects of Trk-I cancer
drugs on cardiac stem cells grown in the lab.
The Benefits
In the future, this research may pave the way for
the development of new treatments which prevent
toxic effects of Trk-I cancer drugs on the heart.
The work will also shed further light on the biology
of cardiac stem cells and may help scientists to
find ways of manipulating biochemical pathways
to increase the abilities of the cardiac stem cells
to repair cells and tissue, which may lead to better
treatments for heart failure.

Dr Enca Martin-Rendon
University of Oxford / 148,006 24 months
Developing a genetic test to improve
the success of stem cell treatment for
heart disease
The Problem
New treatments aimed at improving blood vessel
growth and maintain a well-working heart using
stem cells from bone marrow, blood and the heart
have been developed but trials with patients have
shown mixed results and not all patients benefit
from the treatment.
The Project
This research team has been developing new
treatments using stem cells isolated from the
patients own heart which will improve the blood
supply to the damaged tissue. In this project
they will use advanced genetic techniques that
can give information about the genetic makeup of these patients heart stem cells and can
distinguish those which can support blood vessel
formation from those which cannot.
The Benefits
The aim of the project is to develop a genetic
test that will predict and improve the success
of heart stem cell transplantation. In this new
era, regenerative medicine has great potential.
However, selection of the right patients for
the right treatment is crucial to ensure more
successful and cost-effective treatments.

New Aortic Surgery

Fellowship at Liverpool Heart
and Chest Hospital
Heart Research UK is funding a new,
unique, 12-month Fellowship in aortic
surgery at the Liverpool Heart and Chest
Hospital. The Thoracic Aortic Service in
Liverpool is the largest of its kind in the UK
and performs all types of aortic surgery.
Aortic surgery is a highly specialised
and complex field of surgery and this
opportunity is not available elsewhere in
the UK. The Fellow will gain unparalleled
experience in different aortic procedures,
giving them the chance to develop the
skills and expertise needed to carry out
these lifesaving operations.
The Fellowship will give a talented trainee
cardiothoracic surgeon the chance to
work with, and learn from a team of very
experienced consultant surgeons; Mr
Aung Oo, Mr Manoj Kuduvalli, Mr Mark Field
and Miss Deborah Harrington.
For further details, deadline date and
to apply: www.heartresearch.org.uk/
grants/fellowship

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

New and Emerging Technology Grants

The UK has an internationally-acknowledged wealth of expertise and importance of medical research.

In the latest round of Heart Research UKs unique Novel and Emerging Technology Grants, 200,000
was awarded to two projects - one looking into problems with the hearts blood pumping mechanism
and another into new techniques for identifying damaged heart muscle.

Professor David Firmin and Dr Andrew Scott

Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College
London/ 106,043 - 36 months
Developing new MRI techniques for
microscopic insights into heart
muscle structure

Dr Tim Betts and Dr James Gamble

Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital,
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford/
93,957 18 months
Helping patients who do not respond to
cardiac resynchronisation therapy

The Problem
Diffusion tensor MRI can be used in the heart
to provide information on the arrangement of
muscle cells, which could provide earlier diagnosis
and new insights into the many diseases affecting
the heart. However, due to the movement of
the heart when it beats and as people breathe,
diffusion tensor MRI in the heart is difficult.

The Problem
In certain heart patients, cardiac
resynchronisation therapy (CRT) with a particular
type of pacemaker can improve the pumping
function of the heart by synchronising the beating
of the ventricles.Unfortunately, up to a third of
patients who receive these devices do
not improve.

The Project
In this project, diffusion tensor and spiral MRI
techniques will be combined to produce a
technique which will give greater detail and
provide reliable and accurate information on the
microscopic structure of the heart muscle, for
example, in cases of thinned heart muscle after a
heart attack.

The Project
This research team has developed a new way of
delivering the resynchronising pacemaker wire
through a different route, passing it directly from
the easily accessible right ventricle to the inside of
the left ventricle through the septum, the muscle
wall that divides the two. There is evidence
that this can achieve better pumping than the
conventional technique.

The Benefits
The development of an advanced MRI technique
that can provide information relating to the cell
structure in thin heart muscle tissue, which is a
feature of many heart diseases. This technique
may provide earlier diagnosis, new information on
how diseases affect the heart and novel insights
into treatments.
8

Research Grants

The Benefits
This new technique has the potential to improve
the outcomes for patients with severe heart
failure who have few other effective treatment
options and it may benefit greater numbers of
patients compared with conventional CRT.

Students get our research support

Heart Research UK has always been proud to encourage researchers of the future and our
latest venture gave 30,000 to fund two second-year University of Leeds students on the first
rung of the research ladder.
The two EXSEL programme scholarships allow the students to research aspects of medicine that are
linked with heart disease, which could help towards finding new treatments in the future. The latest
recipients were 26-year-old Christopher Jones and 20-year-old Jack Helliwell.
Chris, from Wakefield, has been looking at new exercise testing for patients with heart disease who
are having major surgery, as part of their pre-operative screening. He has been testing individuals
by putting them through a new exercise protocol which aims to fully work the heart and lungs. He
has been testing patients over two minutes, aiming to work them harder, which should give a more
accurate representation of whether it is safe for the patient to have heart surgery and make a good
recovery afterwards.
Jack, from Dewsbury, has researched new methods of treating chronic and non-healing venous and
diabetic leg ulcers by creating a new biological scaffold using pig skin, which is placed on the ulcer to
help regenerate new healthier cells. Evidence has shown that this new method will be less painful, more
cost-effective and time-efficient by working in just one application of the scaffold.

www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

GRANTSUPDATE
International recognition
for our research project
Our translational research projects are aimed at benefitting patients as soon as possible. One,
a 98,000 grant at the University of Sheffield from Heart Research UK and healthcare provider
Simplyhealth, was showcased at an international audience of 19,000 delegates at the American
Heart Association annual meeting in Chicago.
Seven years ago health body NICE, recommended that dentists stop
giving antibiotics to patients who have certain types of heart disease. The
team of international researchers, led by Professor Martin Thornhill, at
the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry, discovered that,
since the recommendation, there has been an increase in the serious
heart infection infective endocarditis above the expected trend. By
March 2013, this accounted for an extra 35 cases per month.
In Prof Thornhills paper, also published in The Lancet, they identified that
the prescribing of antibiotics to these patients fell by 89 per cent - from
10,900 prescriptions a month before the 2008 guidelines, to 1,235 a
month by March 2008.
Although there is still more work to be done in this study, Prof Thornhill hopes that the data uncovered
will provide the information that guideline committees like NICE need to re-evaluate the benefits or not
of giving antibiotics in this case.

Research project update

Stimulating recovery from heart attacks
Findings from an HRUK project, awarded two years ago, have
been published in the prestigious scientific journal Molecular
Biology of the Cell by the American Society for Cell Biology.
Gareth Fearnley was awarded a grant of 84,750 for a PhD
at the University of Leeds to study the benefits of different
forms of a chemical found in our bloodstream, called VEGF,
which stimulates the repair of damaged blood vessels. This
work could lead to new treatments that can heal damaged
coronary arteries after heart attacks.
His success did not end there as he was also awarded a poster
prize for his work at the 2014 Annual North of England Cell
Biology Meeting.

10

Research Grants

RESEARCHFEATURE
A brief guide to congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease is a general term covering a wide range of heart conditions or defects
that are present at birth. Current figures show that around 1 in 180 babies in the UK are born
with a heart problem. There are many different types of congenital heart disease and most
defects either obstruct blood flow in the heart or nearby blood vessels, or cause the blood
to take the wrong route through the heart. Such heart conditions include holes between the
chambers of the heart, narrowed heart valves and more complex defects.

Tommy Frank who had hole in the heart surgery as a child

What are the causes?

Some cases are caused by faulty genes or
chromosomes and many children with Downs
syndrome are born with heart problems. In many
cases there is no obvious cause but there are
certain factors that can increase the chances
of a babys heart not developing normally. For
example, some infections (such as rubella),
certain medicines or poorly-controlled diabetes
during pregnancy can increase the risk of
congenital heart disease.
How is it diagnosed?
Thanks to routine ultrasound scanning during
pregnancy, more and more cases of congenital
heart disease are detected before a baby is
born. However, sometimes a heart defect is not
discovered until after a baby is born, and in some
cases, not until the child is older or even an adult.

10 year old heart patient Charlie Ellery

What are the symptoms?

Congenital heart disease can have a wide range
of symptoms and may include extreme tiredness,
poor feeding, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat,
breathing problems and a blue tinge to the skin.
These symptoms may be seen soon after birth,
but mild defects may not cause any problems
until later in life.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for congenital heart disease depends
on the type and severity of the defect, and has
come a long way over the years. Children who
have minor defects may not need any treatment
at all. However, if the defect is more serious
and causing problems, then surgery is usually
necessary. Nowadays, surgery can often restore
most or all of the hearts normal function and the
majority of children with congenital heart disease
will grow up to become adults and lead full and
active lives.

As well as funding pioneering medical research, Heart Research UK is Helping Little Hearts with
its unique rehabilitation for children. See page 14 for the full story.

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

11

MASTERCLASS in

major

Our pioneering Masterclasses, running for the last three years, show that we are truly Helping
Hearts near you by giving clinicians from local hospitals around the UK the chance to learn new
techniques from international experts in their field.
Our latest Masterclass in Liverpool saw Consultant Cardiac Surgeons from Swansea, Hull, Cambridge,
Blackpool, Cardiff, Nottingham, Oxford ,Manchester, Brighton, Basildon, Liverpool, London and Bristol
learning a technique for patients that need life-saving aortic arch surgery - a complex, specialist area
with which the majority of heart surgeons rarely come into contact. Above all, patients across the
country will benefit as more surgeons will have the expertise to carry out this lifesaving operation in their
own hospitals.
The class gave these young clinicians the rare opportunity to expand their knowledge of major aortic
arch surgery as well as invaluable hands-on experience.
The Masterclass, funded entirely by Heart Research UK, was held in the Human Anatomy Resource
Centre at the University of Liverpool. It was led by Mr Aung Oo and Miss Deborah Harrington, part
of a team of the consultant cardiac surgeons that leads the way in this highly specialised surgery at
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Joining the team were two internationally-renowned surgeons ; Professor Di Bartolomeo,
Professor of Cardiac Surgery in the Cardiovascular Department at the University of
Bologna and Professor Malakh Shrestha , Chief Staff Surgeon of Cardiothoracic
Transplantation and Vascular Surgery and Director of Aortic Surgery at Hannover
Medical School.
Deborah Harrington said:

It was fantastic to have such eminent

European speakers. We had lively debates
and excellent presentations from them both.
I am sure the opportunity to perform such
complex surgery will benefit future
generations of patients.
Senior Registrar, Sendhil K
Balasubramanian from Castle Hill
Hospital, Hull, spoke about the
importance of the Masterclass:

It will improve my patients care,

as well as improving patient
safety and quality of care in
cardiothoracic surgery.

12

Masterclass

aortic arch surgery

s 27
nd l a 25
id e
M Pag
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se

complex

Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Govind Chetty, from the University Hospital of Wales,
Cardiff, said:

This course has provided invaluable insight into operative measures, especially on
cerebral protection and a direct hands-on experience of tackling this life-threatening
condition from experts in this field, which will no doubt give me more confidence in my
future practice.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Marius Berman from Papworth Hospital, Cambridge said:

This is one of the best courses I have been to. It took on a hands-on approach and
performed to a very high standard.

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research

13

Childrens rehabilitation

Heart Research UK wants every child heart patient in the country to know that they can be as active
as other children with the help of an exercise toolkit and unique prescription advising them on
how much activity their condition allows.
In the UK, around one in 180 babies is born with congenital heart disease and the number of operations
increased by 60% between 2000 and 2010. At the moment, adult heart patients leave hospital with
rehabilitation advice to help make sure their hearts stay in the best condition but with these child heart
patients this rarely happens. This leaves the youngster missing out on vital exercise that our research at
Exeter University has shown, can help improve their condition.
We unveiled the exercise toolkit and innovative prescription to young heart patients at the Bristol Royal
Hospital for Children, the first time in the UK. This was quickly followed by a launch at Leeds General
Infirmary soon to be followed by Cardiff, Oxford, Exeter, Southampton and Birmingham. These pilots will
give the information we need to refine the toolkit before it is rolled-out in other centres across the UK.

Consultant cardiologist, Dr Graham Stuart, of the Bristol

Royal Hospital for Children helped Heart Research UK develop
the toolkit.

This exercise toolkit has been developed to enable

such an exercise prescription to be made for each
patient in a safe and effective manner so that
everyone knows exactly what they can do.

14

Helping Little Hearts feature

Paul Barnett from Bristol,

who attended the launch with
daughters Annie and Mollie, agrees

there is a need for parents and their children to

have clear guidance on how much exercise they
can do. He and his children suffer from Marfans
Syndrome which affects the muscles and admits
he played rugby as a youngster but, because there
was no clear guidance, he wasnt told he should
avoid contact sports like this.

England netball star player Clare

Elsley, 35, is the perfect example of someone
who has been encouraged to continue with her
sport despite wearing a pacemaker after suffering
heart rhythm problems. She says the Helping
Little Hearts exercise toolkit will be a real help to
parents of children whove had heart treatments.

Dr Dominic Hares, a Leeds Consultant

Paediatric Cardiologist, said:
Schools and parents are often very
protective over children, but there is
overwhelming evidence to suggest that
exercise participation is a very positive
thing, even in those children with severe
heart disease.

The launch of the Leeds pilot study brought

together young boxer and Heart Research UK
ambassador, Tommy Frank, and threeyear-old heart patient, Riley Platts.
Tommy, 21, was born with a hole in the heart
and after corrective surgery when he was five
has gone on to pursue a boxing career as one of
the best young boxers in the country. Riley was
born with truncus arteriosis where the two main
heart arteries are joined together. Hes had some
operations already and will need more in the
future, but is a fit and happy little boy.

His mother, Kathryn,

said that having the
toolkit and exercise
prescription will
influence how she
deals with Rileys
exercise. It will be
especially helpful
for when he goes to
school. It also means
that Riley wont be on the sidelines
watching other children, and I can show
teachers a piece of paper that says how
much exercise he should take to be safe.

We sincerely hope that our Helping Little Hearts

Campaign will have a big impact and believe
it is money well spent helping children near
you. Some children will get the go-ahead to be
active, for others it will give restrictions but their
parents will have the confidence to know they
will be safe. All of them will know the joy of being
active and have a better chance of keeping their
mended hearts healthy.

www.heartresearch.org.uk/spending-money
Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk

15

events
HRUK

Run, walk, sing for your heart

Join us for our summer of SUBWAY

Helping HeartsTM Family 5Ks
Last year we had a great summer of SUBWAY Helping Hearts Family 5K events across the country
and were looking forward to 2015 breaking all records. A SUBWAY Helping Hearts Family 5K is a
great family day out; youll keep fit, spend some healthy, fun time with the family and, at the same
time, raise money to be spent on helping hearts near you.
Hazel Lea from Dronfield did the Sheffield 5K event last year with her 10-year-old daughter Taryn after
her father Don had a heart attack. We had a great time at the event, it was hard, but we

got round in 31 minutes and the event was so well organised and fun. Without heart
research we wouldnt have the amazing treatments and medications that can help
people have a good quality of life after a heart attack.

This years events are in Belfast, Blackpool, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester,
Motherwell, Newcastle, Sheffield and Birmingham. A tasty, satisfying, SUBWAY lunch is included in the
entry fee of 6.99. Children under-12 are free.

To enter and for more details, go to

www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/subwayfamily5k

16

HRUK Events

s
nt 35
ra 2tg 3
ar age
He e P
se

Interested?
For
details visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events
HRUK in the
Midlands

17

events
HRUK

Run, walk, sing for your heart

Up valley and down dale
Every year, the challenge is on to get your walking boots on, take in deep breaths of Yorkshire air
and pit yourself against the Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

Its a great way to see some spectacular scenery and get one
of the great walks under your belt. Many people come back
each year to take on the challenge and, to encourage even
more, weve introduced a new less-demanding valleys route,
a guided walk over 16 miles that skirts round the main peaks to
give a picturesque and gentler walk for those who dont fancy
the longer climbs.
Among those who took part last year was Professor Chris
Denning, who is working on a Heart Research UK-funded
project at the University of Nottingham looking into abnormal
heart rhythms. He said: There was a real sense of

Former ITV reporter/presenter,

Paul Burland, joined us last
year and made a video that
captured the essence of
the Yorkshire Three Peaks
Challenges. See his video at:
www.heartresearch.org.uk/
events/yorkshire-threepeaks-valleys

satisfaction of having pushed myself and raising

around 3,000 for an extremely worthwhile charity.

Its FREE to enter and all we ask is that you raise as much money as you can for Heart Research
UK. Get a team from work or family or friends to join you and the challenge is on.

Apply on line at:

www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/yorkshire-three-peaks-valleys

18

HRUK Events

Run for Heart Research UK

Many of you may have vowed to use 2015 to get your running shoes on and challenge yourself to do
an event. Heart Research UK has places in some of the best running events just for you.
We have places in the London Marathon next year and theres the chance to join 56,000 others at
The Great North Run on 13 September between Newcastle and South Shields - the worlds biggest
half marathon.

Last year, Heart Research UK runners came out

in full force with 38 taking part to raise just over
12,000 for Heart Research UKs activities helping
hearts near you.
Heart Research UK Ambassador, Tommy Frank, was
one of the runners, finishing in an impressive 1 hour
and 42 minutes in his first ever Great North Run.

Tommy said: Im really glad I took part in

the Great North Run and raised money
for Heart Research UK. It was a fantastic
event and very rewarding. I hope I can
motivate other young people to take part
in events like this, as well as keep healthy
by exercising.

Join our team

Everyone who runs for Heart Research UK gets full support
with top tips on training, fundraising ideas and a running vest
as well as encouragement all the way. If you are lucky enough
to get your own place in any local or national challenges we
would love you to join our running team.
Simply email us on eventsadmin@heartresearch.org.uk
with your full name, address, contact number and vest size
or ring our fundraising team on 0113 297 6212.

Interested?
For
details visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events
HRUK in the
Midlands

19

Special
People
Heart Research stands on
the shoulders of heroes
We need volunteers now more than ever so
please join our team.
We firmly believe that volunteers are heroes
and without them the pioneering work we do
would not be possible. They contribute in so
many valuable ways from helping at our events,
offering their skills, attending collections and
being ambassadors for the work we do all over
the UK. Volunteering is an extremely rewarding
experience and we need more of you across the
UK to help us now more than ever.
Were looking for local volunteers throughout
the country to join our team and help us at
street and supermarket collections, look after
collecting cans in their local area, help at events
or even organise their own events such as coffee
mornings or tea parties.
There are also opportunities to be Heart
Research UK Ambassadors and officially
represent our charity in your local area. In this
role you will give talks on our behalf, outlining our
work in helping hearts near you ,as well as collect
cheques for us from our valued supporters. Full
training will be provided so you can represent
Heart Research UK with confidence.

Whether you are looking for work experience, a

student increasing their knowledge, retired people
with time to give, or youre out of work, in between
jobs or a full-time parent, we can offer you a role
that will complement your life, fit in around your
usual day and give you a huge sense of fulfilment
and experience.
Fran Shilton our Head of Income comments:

Our volunteering roles are flexible

dependant on your availability and skills,
so whether you only have a couple of
hours to spare a week or have more time
to offer on a regular basis, weve got a role
at Heart Research UK to suit you and we
are waiting for you to join us.

To find out more please go to our website: www.heartresearch.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering

or ring 0113 234 7474 or if youre in the Midlands, 0121 454 1799.

20

Special People

Roxanne Zarpak

Rachel Foxton

Roxanne, 25, of Bexley, Kent did the Virgin London

Marathon for Heart Research UK after the death
of her grandfather and the recovery of her father
both from heart attacks. She said: Seeing my
family go through what we did has made me
appreciate how vital medical research into the
heart is, and realise the importance of helping
and fundraising for a cause that many can relate
to and will hopefully benefit from. Volunteering
for Heart Research UK gives the opportunity
to contribute to a fantastic cause, helping the
charity to focus so much time and money into the
prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Rachel Foxton, 20, from Cornwall is a student who

has helped Heart Research UK as a volunteer.
She said: I wanted to get into volunteering to
gain new experiences outside of University. With
Heart Research UK I ticked all of these boxes. Not
only is it a worthwhile cause to fight for, everyone
involved is lovely and I was made to feel like a
valued member of the team. Im encouraging
everyone I know to get involved because its an
experience everyone should have.

Adrian Purtell

Cath Lewis

Adrian, the Bradford Bulls centre and Heart

Research UK Ambassador, had a heart attack
when he was 27 after a Bulls match against Leeds
in May 2012 and is back playing the sport he loves.
Without volunteers charities like Heart Research
UK would not be able to fund important research
that helped to save my life.

Cath is a retired practice and research nurse

who has been volunteering for Heart Research
UK for 12 years, all coming about after she ran the
London Marathon for our charity. Shes also many
times volunteered at our annual Three Peaks
Challenge. It would be very easy to sit at home
and watch daytime television. The charity came
out to speak to us and I was pleased to help.

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk

21

Special
People
New Years Honour
Heart Research UKs President, Keith Loudon,
has been made an Officer of the Order of the
British Empire (OBE) in the New Years Honours
List for his services to business and to the
community in Leeds. As a founding member
of Redmayne-Bentley Stockbrokers, a former
Lord Mayor of Leeds and a supporter of many
charities and local groups, Keith has been a
key figure in Leeds business and politics for
decades as well as a champion for many local
causes, especially Heart Research UK.
Keith has been a trustee of Heart Research UK for more than 19 years and was Board Chairman, 1996
2011. Under his stewardship, we went from strength to strength, developing from a Leeds-based charity
to the growing national charity it is today. As Tony Knight, our current Chairman of Trustees said:

The special thing about Keith is that he gave his time, the most valuable thing he could
give. Organisations need forward-looking, strong leaders. Keith is certainly that and we
could not be more proud.

Rosanna the water baby

Rosanna Ogden is a real water baby having learned
how to swim before she could walk or talk. She
was swimming unaided at the age of 13 months.
The five year old from Chorley, Lancashire, had an
operation to remove a tumour from her heart when
she was just five-weeks-old. To build up her stamina
and strengthen her heart, her parents, Sanam and
Mick Ogden, started her in the swimming pool at
10-weeks-old and she was like the proverbial duck
to water.

Photograph courtesy of The Bolton News

22

Special People

Since the age of two shes been doing sponsored

swimming events to raise money for charity and this
year shes chosen to support Heart Research UK with
a sponsored swim on 1st August 2015. Last year the
youngster was joined by 80 swimmers and she raised
over 4,000. Shes hoping to beat that target this year.

For Helping Hearts

Michael Ebbage Peterborough | Perkins Great Eastern Run | 508
Andrew McCracken Ormskirk | Wirral Half Marathon | 457
Jasmine Mameen Essex | End of Ramadan fundraising | 650
Jade-Louise Edwards Northamptonshire | Jade-Louises Tab 10 | 236
Karen Watts Leeds | 4hr danceathon | 65
Sharon Kendall Colchester | Flu vaccine clinic | 603
Mrs N Bullock Macclesfield | 90th birthday | 350
Amber Buckle Leeds | Ambers Winter Walk and loom band sales | 338
Katrina and Sarah (Tog Girls) Hornsea | Christmas hamper raffle | 200
Paul Shelton Teesside University | Entrepreneurial Challenge | 200
Lauren Bloor Sutton in Ashfield | Yorkshire Three Peaks | 140
Leif Monument Market Rasen | Yorkshire Three Peaks | 90
Richard Bevan Leeds | Movember moustache | 1,178
Roland Walls York | Christmas party raffle | 66
Paula Way Manchester | Coffee morning | 183
R. Sudderdean Leeds | Small coins and watercolour sale | 135
Wendy Christie Hamilton | Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run | 179
Hazel Bell Pudsey | Dance Show | 100

Donations in Memory

Karen Wisby-Thomas Meopham | In memory of Peter Thomas | 1,530

Isobel Flack Pewsey | Tidworth 10k in memory of David Williamson and Robert Flack | 735
Gwen and Beau Gothard Australia | Wedding donations in memory of Jill Fitzpatrick | 750
Colin Allman Deeside | 229
Neil Barlow Manchester | 450
William Bellamy Castleford | 465
Patricia Bottomley Leeds | 200
Harry Broomhead Bridghouse | 391
Neil Courtney Harpenden | 456
Robert Kilvert Hereford | 379
John Peters Birmingham | 222
Sheila Proberts Leeds | 136
Ernest Roberts Pwhelli | 263
Peter Thomas Gravesend | 382
David Williamson Upavon, Wilts | 383

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk

23

Look
what
weve been up to
5,000 children and counting
Shes given healthy heart presentations to 33 schools and
over 5,000 pupils and shes not stopping there. Sharron
Bright, our schools coordinator, has been spreading the
healthy heart message to children through her classroom
sessions and the response has been fantastic. Her sessions
cover why the heart is so important, what it does and how
to keep your heart healthy by eating a healthy diet, being
active and not smoking. The presentation has gone down
a storm with schools and Sharron is delighted that the
programme, funded by grants from healthcare provider,
Simplyhealth, and Drax Power, can be rolled out to more
children across the country.
Head Teacher, Toni Thomason from Spring Brook Special School in Oldham:
The presentation was fantastic. All the pupils were engaged and interested throughout, which
considering we are a special school and our pupils struggle with this, is an achievement!
If youre interested in a session in your school, contact Sharron Bright on 0113 297 6214
or e-mail her at schools@heartresearch.org.uk

Silky gives obesity the knockout punch

Paul Silky Jones was once a world champion boxer, so he was the
perfect choice to urge people to give obesity a knockout punch during
National Obesity Awareness Week.
Silky, whos a great Heart Research UK Ambassador, used the obesity
campaign to get the healthy messages across and challenge people to be
more active by doing 100 skips a day.
Not only did he do a boxercise session at the Xercise 4 Less fitness
centre in Leeds, covered by Yorkshire TVs Calendar programme, he also
put the BBC Look North presenters Harry Gration and Amy Garcia and
the journalists there through their paces with skipping ropes. Silky, who
is now 48, won the World Light Middleweight title in 1995, and says: Our

lifestyles make it easy for us to put on the pounds and become

overweight or even obese by being inactive and eating a poor
diet, which puts us at risk of serious illnesses like heart disease.
Just a few small changes can make a difference, and simple
activities can benefit you when linked to healthy eating.
24

Look what weve been up to

HRUK
HRUK

theMidlands
Midlands
ininthe
Were Brindleyplace winners

After competing against 19 other charities, we are now one of three charity
partners for popular business spot, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, over the
next two years. Making it down to the final three, we were given the chance
to showcase what the charity is all about and talk to members of the public
about how all the money raised in the Midlands is spent in the Midlands.

As a Brindleyplace Official
Charity Partner, we will
be able to use the popular
city centre space which
attracts over 4,000,000
visitors a year.

The day of the vote was tense with lots of people coming down to
Brindleyplace to make it a great experience. Our ambassador, TV cook
Sally Bee, four times World Kick Boxing Champion, Kash the Flash and
local singing star, Lauren Alexander, who performed a fantastic duet as
Lady and the Sax, all showed their support. What was so rewarding was
the number of our supporters and office workers who came to cast their
vote for Heart Research UK. Were very grateful and will make sure our time
with Brindleyplace is full of events for all ages. Watch our website for whats
happening at Brindleyplace.

www.heartresearch.org.uk/near-you/midlands-events

Harborne Waitrose bag packs

The generous people of Harborne have done it again and helped Heart Research UK raise nearly 2,000
from bag packing at the local Waitrose store. The store, right on the High Street, has been a very loyal
supporter over the years and, this time around, it was a great effort across the three days, with both the
Midlands and Leeds office volunteers and staff coming down to help out busy shoppers. Bag packing in
Waitrose is always a great boost for the charity and a fantastic way of getting out, meeting the public and
sharing with them the work Heart Research UK has been doing in the Midlands. All the money raised will go
to projects at the Birmingham Childrens Hospital.

Blue Spice Restaurant

and Apartments
Fans of Heart Research UK are not just in the UK, weve had the exclusive
family-run Blue Spice complex in Pernera, Cyprus supporting Heart Research
UK in the Midlands for over three years. This year, they have really done us
proud by offering a seven-night stay to the winning bidder at a charity auction.
The beautiful resort, located on the south-east coast of Cyprus, is run by
Frixos along with his sister Andrea. The lucky winners, Heidi Kubrik and her
family, sent us a picture of them having a great time in the sun.

HRUK in the Midlands

25

HRUK
HRUK

theMidlands
Midlands
ininthe
Hampers and Coffee with the Au Pairs
Its daunting being on your own in a foreign country. The answer
from three Au Pairs was to get involved with a charity. Caroline from
Sweden, Nicole from Germany and Valentina from Italy, walked
into the Midlands office and pronounced they were ready for work.
The Midlands office was a hive of activity filling hampers with tasty
goodies from companies all around the UK. Our team of Au Pairs
worked for days on the impressive, beautifully-packed hampers.
Thanks to Foxs Biscuits, Deans of Huntly, Benedict Bittermints,
Just Oil & Just Crisps, Mrs Darlington and Daughters, Bonne
Maman, Barry M Cosmetics, The Bay Tree, Taylors of Harrogate,
Whitworths, Rowse Honey, United Biscuits-KP Foods, Waitrose, Harborne and Cadbury World
for their very generous donations.
Their next venture was a coffee morning at Piccolinos in Brindley Place. It was the perfect way to get to
know other Au Pairs and their host families .

Centenary Lunch
The 1914-18 War was
remembered when
Financial Services
Company, Premier
Planning, chose Heart
Research UK as its main
charity at a Centenary
Lunch sponsored by
PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The lunch, run by Richard Usmar, Mark Smith and Mark
Grainger raised an outstanding 22,000 to help fund a
38,000 monitoring system to support babies, as well
as parents, when bringing their youngster home from
Birmingham Childrens Hospital for the first time after
complex heart surgery. The monitoring system provides a fastalert system back to a nurse at the hospital and brings peace
of mind to families and gives the best start to youngsters.

26

HRUK in the Midlands

A sign of
our times
For the first time, Heart
Research UK had our name
in lights, shining above the
A38 as it wends its way into
Birmingham, thanks to a
very generous donation
of free space by Elonex
Outdoor Media. This busy
route into Birmingham sees
nearly 400,000 vehicles a
day and our sign was in the
perfect position to capture
drivers attention and give
them an eyeful of our high
profile message every day.

250 pancakes in a day

Piccolino in Birmingham are really making sure
its partnership with Heart Research UK is going
to be a big success with Loubie Goldie, Sales and
Events Manager heading up their enterprising
team. Theres lots planned for 2015 and it started
by giving away free pancakes on Shrove Tuesday in
return for a donation. HRUK staff and volunteers,
with the help of mascot Hartley Heart, were out in
force, spreading the healthy heart message and
telling customers and passers-by about our work in
the Midlands. Over 250 pancakes were given away
and a special thank you goes to all those who gave
a donation, helping us raise 160 Piccolino has
chosen Heart Research UK in the Midlands as
their charity for 2015 and we hope to see you
there soon.

Thanks
Thanks
to our Midlands supporters
Mrs M Marshall | in memory of a close friend | 10
Ms H Sanga | 100 donation

Callum Thomas & David Evans | Great Midlands Fun Run | 25

Pacific Nurseries | Collection Boxes | 512
Barry & Maria Sawbridge - Leicester | Christmas Fundraising | 750
Waitrose Community Matters - Hall Green Branch | 290
Andrew and Julie Marshall | Ethans Gift 2014 | 9,515
Lauren Alexander
John Bill Memorial Fund
Michael Grainger Memorial Fund
Brindleyplace | Hilton Garden Inn | Piccolino Italian Restaurant |
Arkade Properties | Sue Howells Art | Premier Planning |
Deutsche Bank | EKV Design | Gem Media | Pacific Nurseries |
WH Painter | Longden/Forest of Hearts | Elonex Outdoor Media |
Blue Spice | Warwick Racecourse |

Contact our Midlands office on 0121 454 1799

27

Company Help
Over 1,100 DS Smith staff adopt healthy lifestyles
Weve been helping hearts with leading European packaging company DS Smith, getting over 1,100 of
its staff heart healthy with healthy heart checks from our Lifestyle team at 17 of its depots around the
UK. The company, wont be leaving it there, as more visits will follow across other DS Smith sites from
Launceston and Plymouth to Lockerbie.
Our confidential on-site lifestyle checks included cholesterol/diabetes tests, calculating BMI and waist
measurement and a blood pressure check, all supported with practical information and advice and backed
up by HRUKs lifestyle leaflets, which went down very well:

To find out how you could become a Healthy Heart

employer please call us on: 0113 297 6206

Robert proves it can be done

Thirty-eight-year-old Robert Wrightman, the companys UK central
laboratory manager, changed his lifestyle after one of our healthy heart
checks and is now reaping the rewards.
Robert, who has been at DS Smith for 15 years, was shocked when he got a
high cholesterol reading from one of the tests our team did.
He decided to take control by making small changes to his lifestyle like eating
less chocolate & red meat as well as eating more fruit and veg.

I was always fairly active walking my dogs for an hour every

night but I now jog with them for at least 30 minutes, said Robert.
And it has worked. Hes lost more than a stone, his BMI is now in the
normal range, his cholesterol had fallen and he feels better for it.

35,000 for Emerald

What a fantastic year we had as the chosen charity for
Emerald Group Publishing, which raised a brilliant 35,000
for our Helping Little Hearts Appeal. Were so grateful to
everyone who raised such a large amount which will help
our Appeal.
Emerald staff did lots of activities, culminating in a glittering
fundraising ball. Emma Stevenson, chair of Emeralds Charity
Committee, said they had surpassed all expectations reaching
35,000. Special thanks go to Emerald employees globally, including our Research Media team in
Bristol, who have engaged with the charity throughout the year, enabling us to make a significant
contribution to Heart Research UK.

28

Company Help

Caravan Guard hits 35,000

In 2009, caravan and motorhome insurance provider,
Caravan Guard, started to donate 1 to Heart Research UK
every time a customer had its policy documents sent online
and have now reached a fantastic 35,000. As a thank you,
we teamed up with the company at its Halifax offices to
deliver healthy heart checks with great results.
Emma Dean, Claims Liaison Officer: I eat more fish; It was
good to know that I already do half the exercise I need just by
walking to work every day so I just need to fit in a little bit more
each week .
Ruth, Contact Centre Manager: Im glad I went for a health check and I made small changes as a
result. Its made me think about what I eat and the impact it has on my wellbeing.
Tom, Contact Centre Adviser: I was surprised to learn that I had high blood pressure and that there
was a high amount of salt in my diet so I have reduced this and now always consciously check the
labelling on packets.
Anya, Contact Centre Adviser: Since doing the healthy heart check, I have started drinking skimmed
milk rather than full fat and have stopped eating as much red meat and cheese.
And Charlotte, the Contact Centre Adviser, has even stopped smoking.

Mums the word for a new

healthier curry
Weve linked up with our Ambassador, TV cook Sally Bee, to
encourage shoppers to choose a new healthy Indian curry base Mums Masala - which is low in saturated fat and sugar and has no
preservatives or artificial colours and flavours. As curries are
an everyday staple in the UK were very happy to team up with
Mums Masala, a company that offers the choice of a healthier
option in our local shops nationwide.
Sally, also an author and nutritionist , said: Mums Masala will
radically change the perception of Indian cuisine, as for the first time
everyone can now make restaurant quality curries at home. I believe
nutrition is the key to health and this is the first healthier curry I have
ever seen.
For every bottle of the curry base sold, a penny is being donated to Heart
Research UK to help us carry on helping hearts near you. Look out for it in
supermarkets near you in the coming months.

Join our Healthy Heart Mark scheme call 0113 297 6206

29

Lifestyle
A new report from the National Obesity Forum says that tackling obesity must be amongst the
priorities of a new government and should be the subject of a cross-party pledge.

Beulahs life-changing weight-loss

Beulah Byron has a positive attitude thats helped her to lose four and a half stones in a year and
change her life for the better. Beulah, whos 26, went through difficult personal problems after the birth
of her second child, and subsequently her weight increased to 15 stones.
She says it was a shock to the system that spurred her into making positive lifestyle
changes by altering her diet, exercising, sleeping properly and starting to feel
good about herself.
In just a year her weight went down to 10 stone and after
securing a new job she hasnt looked back.

Instead of getting depressed and eating

I decided to make myself fantastic, she
said. I could have taken a different
direction but took the positive way
forward.
She used to eat takeaway meals all
the time and had most of her food
in the evenings after work when she
wasnt sleeping properly. Now she has
breakfast, lunch and dinner and cooks
fresh food for her partner and their
children, Byron 10 and Charlie, three.
Gone are the fizzy pop and ready
meals. Now shes into a routine of eating
well and exercising in what has been a
complete lifestyle change.

Ive got so much more energy, she

said. The more you do, the better you
feel and for me all I wanted to do was
lose weight. It has certainly made my
life more exciting.

30

Healthy Hearts

Family Hearts First

Most of us are aware of the alarming rates of obesity both in the UK and globally. Currently, around
a third of children in the UK are classed as overweight or obese, with rates continuing to grow
among adolescents. Whats more, as overweight children are more likely to become overweight
adults, and the growing risks of health complications that this creates, its really important to start
early with those heart-healthy habits.
Children look up to adults in their lives and often mirror their behaviour. This is why Heart Research UK
is encouraging parents to be heart-healthy role models to set their children on course for long, healthy,
happy lives.
Make healthy lifestyles the norm in your household

Family fun time

Make the most of that precious family time
by getting out and being active together.
Explore the countryside with family bikerides, dog walks or take a splash at the local
pool. Exercise is good for the body and the
mind as it releases the feel good hormones
endorphins, which can help you to sleep
better too.

Get cooking
Spend some time together in the kitchen
and get the kids involved with the cooking.
Encouraging children to be involved with
basic food preparation like weighing out
ingredients and mixing will teach them
valuable cooking skills and may make them
more likely to try new things if theyve
helped to make it.

Keep trying
Getting children to eat heart-healthy
vegetables and oily fish can be a bit of
a struggle, but dont give up. Evidence
shows that kids need to try new foods up
to ten times before accepting them. If
eating greens or other items do become a
persistent problem, try mixing them in with
other foods to start with so kids will still get
that all-important goodness.

Ditch your own bad habits

Be careful about the likely messages
youre passing on to the children through
your own unhealthy habits. If youre a
smoker think about creating a smoke-free
environment and quitting. Dont smoke
around them and set an example with
sensible drinking habits, being active and
eating a well-balance diet.

Its always easier to make changes if the whole familys on board and, as children are likely
to pick up the habits of the adults around them, starting out on the road towards heart
healthier lifestyles will encourage them to follow in your footsteps.

For more information www.heartresearch.org.uk

31

Latest
HRUK
Healthy Heart Grants
In our latest round, we introduced, especially
for smaller organisations, Healthy Heart Grants
of up to 5,000. It also gives more projects in
more locations.
Thanet - Skip2BFit
Learn2BFit, 10,000
Skipping and learning about healthy eating and positive lifestyle
choices is a programme for over 3,500 pupils in the most
deprived communities of Thanet. Skipping ropes with counters
will help them track their progress, all topped off with a twominute challenge to earn their free blueberries.

Southend United Community and Educational Trust

SUCET in the Heart of the Community, 10,000
The six-week Blues Bodycare programme for 300 school children in Castle Point promotes heart health
and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease with interactive sessions.. A Southend United
stadium tour and match tickets at the end of the programme keeps them focused.

Coventry - Foleshill Womens Training (FWT) Limited

Foleshill Heart for the Community Project, 9,998
Eight-week programmes are being run for women from Black Minority Ethnic communities in Coventry,
their families and the wider community to improve their heart health through art-based activities,
traditional cooking in a heart-healthy way and female-only exercise events.

Belfast - Willowfield Parish Community Association

Lifeguards, 9,997
Ten primary schools in deprived areas of Belfast will meet two characters, Larry the Lifeguard and
Harry the Heart on four-week fitness courses and Making Healthy Choices workshops. A Boot Camp
Summer Scheme will also run, offering a week of fitness and health activities.

32

HRUK Healthy Hearts Grants

York - York City Knights Foundation

Healthy Heart - Healthy Family Community project, 9,969
Free York City Knights RLFC match day tickets are the reward for six York primary schools following
lunchtime sessions three times a week, as well as innovative team sport activities like Olympic-style
sports. The children will learn how to look after their hearts and use food diaries to promote the healthy
eating message.

Bideford, Devon - Wings South West

Horizons Healthy Hearts, 9,940
Unemployed young people aged 16-25 and young parents
are benefitting from this challenging programme in Devon,
covering exercise, diet, stress and smoking cessation. A variety
of outdoor activities like canoeing, surfing and cycling are
promoting physical activity as well as building team skills and
promoting self-esteem.

London - Inspiring Audio Limited

Count the Beats, 9,900
Radio producers and a panel of doctors have designed short audio features and 60 second clips aimed
at children aged six to 12 to be aired on Fun Kids, the UKs only radio station dedicated to children and
the BFBS stations broadcasting to military families in British overseas bases.

Harrogate - Harrogate Town Community CIC

Harrogate District Hearty YOU!, 9,892
Adults at increased risk of heart disease, families with children
and overweight pregnant women are taking part in a 10-week
focused lifestyle programme. Pregnant women will benefit from
antenatal exercises and educational classes and families can
get involved in fitness and lifestyle classes to improve heart
health and tackle rising obesity levels in the Harrogate district.

Littlehampton, West Sussex - Blueprint 22

Get Up, Stand Up, 9,310
Healthy heart messages are being delivered by young people
with personal or family experience of heart conditions with
support from qualified professionals in nutrition, smoking
cessation, personal training and nursing.

To apply for a grant visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants

33

Latest
HRUK
Healthy Heart Grants
Bury Jigsaw
Heart Smart 2 - Bigger, Better - This Time
Together, 9,000
In a repeat grant, families and carers of disabled young people
attending the sports and social group will benefit from Burys
Exercise and Therapy Service (BEATS), Family Cookery
sessions, Healthy Living classes and Family sport.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Bolton

Healthy Young Hearts, 8,816
Fun is the theme of the after school club for over 140 eight to
12-year-olds learning about their heart and how to look after it.
From planning shopping to cooking, theyre given the skills and
confidence to make healthy heart meals, also available in the
clubs caf so more peoples hearts can benefit.

Inverurie - Garioch Community Kitchen

Healthy Heart, Healthy Mind, 4,998
Adults at risk of heart disease are walking and eating their way to
a healthier heart in North East Scotland with 30-min walks and
walking football sessions to encourage men to get fit with the
help of Aberdeen Football Club. Nutritionist-led healthy eating
advice will give knowledge of food groups, portion sizes, food
labelling and the important nutrients in foods.

St Austell, Cornwall - Treverbyn Community Hall

Treverbyn Hearts, 4,890
Parents of pre and primary school children in Treverbyn will experience eight weeks of group workshops
as well as individual consultations and assessments. Sessions on a balanced heart healthy diet on
a budget, weight management and the negative impacts of physical inactivity, alcohol, smoking and
stress, will encourage participants to influence other family members to lead heart-healthy lifestyles.

34

HRUK Healthy Hearts Grants

Ballymena - Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership

(MEAPP)
A Walking Mans Game, 4,500
Up to 60 men aged 50 and above are taking part in walking
sport sessions including Walking Football, aiming to improve
physical fitness levels. Walk Tests, happiness and wellbeing
assessments and Mini Health Checks have been offered to
assess participants progress.

Ripley, Derbyshire - Amber Trust

I wellbeing, 4,420
Over six weeks, residents of Amber Valley recovering from mental ill health have focussed on learning
how to cook on a budget, food label reading, maintaining a healthy weight and the benefits of exercise
and not smoking. A buddying network will help them gain confidence and motivation to make changes
to their normal routine.

Bradford - Caf West Healthy Living Centre

Healthy Heart@Caf West, 3,026
Healthy eating is the main focus at the Caf West Healthy
Living Centre as 48 adults in deprived areas of Bradford are
learning how to shop, cook and adapt recipes to create tasty
heart healthy meals. Fats, salt and food labels are topics to
help service users reduce their weight and make healthy
eating choices.

Birmingham - Queen Alexandra College

QACs Three Es of Heart Health, 3,018
Around 500 people with sensory impairments, mobility problems and learning disabilities are focussing
on the three Es: Exercise, Eat and Educate. Sport and Recreation BTEC students are leading exercise
and fitness sessions to suit all abilities.

Join our Lay Panel

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 on

0113 297 6206 or 0113 297 6213

To apply for a grant visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants

35

Challenge yourself in 2015

Test yourself with a new challenge in 2015. Remember, too, that everything you raise will be spent near
you on pioneering medical research, encouraging the experts of tomorrow or in Helping Little Hearts.

Channel Swim

Ever fancied swimming the English Channel without having to negotiate one
of the worlds biggest shipping lanes? Well, now you can, just do the 22.5
miles in the relative calm of your local swimming baths.

Great Wall of China

fes a

journey...

This testing challenge will take you across one of the New Seven Wonders
of the World. For five days you will trek amidst breathtaking mountains and
valleys, and through ancient battlements, knowing you are raising money to
help people live healthier, happier, longer lives.

Skythe
diving
..enjoy
ride!
Ever fancied a skydive? Youve a choice of June or September at Hibaldstow
London to Paris Sponsored Bike Ride
in Brigg, North Lincolnshire where youll have the chance to take the
InAirfield
aid of Heart
Research UK
jump of a lifetime whilst harnessed to a qualified instructor.

London to Paris cycle

Fancy a cycle ride to the heart of the French capital? With a trip planned in
September, as well as more next year, there are plenty of opportunities to
get on the saddle, raise money and cycle for your heart.

ng

ure

nt

le

3 June 2015
or 16 September 2015

share your journey

#londontoparis details for all these events, visit:

For more information and registration

Other dates available

Only 99 registration fee

www.heartresearch.org.uk
plus sponsorship

something today that your future self

Thanks
to our partners
be proud
of. Tomorrow
starts TODAY!

eartresearch.org.uk

0113 234 7474

Follow heartresearchuk

ventsadmin@heartresearch.org.uk

art Research UK Suite 12D, Josephs Well, Leeds LS3 1AB. T: 0113 234 7474 F: 0113 297 6208 info@heartresearch.org.uk Registered charity number 1044821.

ndd 1

02/02/2015 12:29

If you would like to discuss a bespoke partnership for your business then please contact
corporate@heartresearch.org.uk or call 0113 297 6202
Heart Research UK, Suite 12D, Josephs Well, Leeds LS3 1AB
or call 0113 234 7474 Fax: 0113 297 6208
Email: mail@heartresearch.org.uk
Website: www.heartresearch.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1044821 Registered Office: Suite 12D, Josephs Well, Leeds LS3 1AB
Company limited by guarantee No. 3026813 Registered in England.