Adrian Purtell Our First Sports Ambassador See P3

pulsespring | summer 2013 Adrian Purtell Our first sports Ambassador see p3

Happy th Special 90 People Birthday Fond farewell to HRUK Founder Reaching his 90th birthday, was not just a celebration for David Watson, it was one for Heart Research UK, too. Together, we toasted his 45 years of service to the charity he set up, as the National Heart Research Fund, in 1967.

Back in those days heart surgery was risky and difficult. We could put a man on the moon but little was being spent on research into heart disease and finding We started our lovely day with a gathering of past Trustees and friends, the current team and Board, better treatments for what was, at the HRUK headquarters in Leeds. by far, the biggest killer in the UK. Mr Watson, a working heart surgeon, was tired of telling patients and their loved ones that there was nothing more he could do for them and decided something had to be done. His solution was to start a charity for ‘the prevention, treatment Development of a pioneering heart valve and cure of heart disease’ but, most importantly, for research into making heart surgery safer. Now Heart Research UK, the charity he founded in 1967 has played a major role in the fight against heart disease.

A 45 year-old malt gets a smile The MBE awarded to him in 2011

2 Special People Adrian Purtell, our first sports Ambassador We are very proud to announce our first-ever Heart Research UK sports Ambassador, Bradford Bulls Super League player, Adrian Purtell. Delighted, too, because Adrian has not only recovered from a heart attack in 2012, he is now back playing the sport he loves. His message to those who have been through a similar experience is: “Just stay positive. From the start I was upset at the prospect of not playing again but I did come to the view that if it happened it would not be the end of the world as I was still alive.” The moment he stood on the touchline waiting to come on for his first start against Hull Kingston Rovers at Odsal Stadium in March was very emotional. Rewind to the Super League “Magic Weekend” at “The crowd were fantastic and gave the Etihad Stadium in Manchester in May 2012 me a standing ovation which was a very when Adrian complained of chest pains after special moment for me,” said Adrian. playing in Bradford’s defeat against Leeds. He became so unwell on the coach journey home that His experiences make him the perfect choice it diverted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on the to be our first Heart Research UK Ambassador, club doctor’s instructions. Once wired up to an particularly, to help us educate ECG, it confirmed Adrian had had a heart attack. people to live more active and healthier lifestyles. There was disbelief that a fit young sportsman like Adrian could suffer a heart attack. Feeling “I can testify to the excellent alone in his hospital bed, he struggled to come to treatment I received and terms with the news. it would be good to make “I didn’t really know how to take it. Was I sure that a great charity going to play again, was I going to live? like Heart Research UK The first doctors I saw weren’t able to has the necessary give me the answers I needed.” support to continue funding medical Adrian went through a series of MRI scans and research that regularly saw specialists in London where he helps to was told there was slight scarring but the heart save lives.” was otherwise functioning normally – the sort of Adrian has been true news he wanted to hear. The next few months to his word and was saw the 28-year-old Aussie on the road to our star attraction at recovery and fitness as he pushed himself to a the Yorkshire Helping position where the specialists gave him the “all- Hearts Ball. He’s also clear” to pull on his Bulls shirt again. on hand to support As an athlete, Adrian was already looking after many of our Healthy his body so he hasn’t had to make dramatic Heart activities, changes to his regime, apart from cutting out the helping people to live snacking, and eating oily fish once a week. healthier, happier, longer lives.

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk 3 Researchgrants HRUK Update On (NET) Grants Our latest Novel and Emerging Technologies Grant was awarded to Professor Andrew Taylor of University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. This innovative project shows how engineers and doctors are working together to tackle heart disease and congenital heart problems.

Professor Andrew Taylor University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust/ £186,101 - 36 months Producing realistic models of heart defects to improve outcomes for patients and for device testing

The Project The Benefits Rapid prototyping is an advanced engineering Patients with congenital heart disease often technique that can create a three-dimensional need to undergo complex procedures to correct (3D) model from digital images using a layer-by- the defect. These models will be unique to layer printing process. This versatile technology each patient and will help clinicians to select has a wide range of uses, from industrial design which patients are most suitable for particular to archaeology and forensics. It is also useful in treatments. Also, the models may help with medicine in areas such as bone modelling, teeth surgical planning, allowing clinicians to establish implants and cardiology. These models can help and rehearse the best way to carry out a with surgical planning and allow medical staff to procedure, thus reducing time in the operating practice and implants to be refined. theatre and improving outcomes for patients. However, cardiac models produced so far These models may also contribute towards the have been over-simplified and made from rigid development of better treatments, including materials and so do not have life-like properties. new devices and – potentially – surgical Also, most of these models have been based procedures. They will also provide an important on adult patients, although children born with educational and training tool for surgeons, heart defects and adults, who have had very cardiologists, researchers and medical students. complex surgery for such defects as infants, would especially benefit from the additional information provided by these models. The Work This project combines cardiology and engineering and will create a library of realistic 3D cardiac models based on 60 different conditions and heart defects that are present from birth. These detailed structural models will be made available to surgeons and cardiologists and are expected to bring a number of important benefits.

4 Research Grants Master Class Our Unique Master Class Series In 2012, we decided that, as well as funding medical research we would like to do our bit for clinicians who are helping hearts - doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and more – to hone their skills and improve their knowledge in their specialised fields. That’s when we came up with our unique Master Class series, designed to fill gaps in existing training or offer additional, targeted courses, all paid for by Heart Research UK and, free to attendees.

Building on Master Class Success Last year’s Heart Research UK’s first-ever Master Class was such a success that we ran another. Again led by David Taggart, Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Oxford and Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at John Radcliffe Hospital. Trainee cardiothoracic surgeons, from across the country learned the latest techniques in coronary artery bypass surgery from UK and European experts. The beauty of bringing them all together is that they can now use their new- found knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques from this Master Class in their own local hospitals all paid for by Heart Research UK. Why? – because we want more patients, locally, not just in centres of excellence, to benefit from their local clinicians’ improved expertise. We were delighted to welcome some of Europe’s most respected lecturers, cardiologists and surgeons. From Belgium, Prof Paul Sergeant, Leuven and Prof Davide Glineur , Brussells; Prof Massimo Lemma, Milan; Prof Giuseppe Tavilla, Nijmegen in the Netherlands; Mr Joseph Zacharias, Blackpool and, of course the eight- strong team from John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford including the class organiser, Prof David Taggart. We were also joined by Prof Steve Westaby who added light relief at the end of the first day with amusing anecdotes and reminiscences from his life as a pioneering heart surgeon. Thanks to the trainees from Bristol, Blackpool, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, four hospitals in London, Manchester and Southampton who gave up their weekend to add to their knowledge, skills and expertise.

Next Master Class A new Master Class in 2013 at the Cardiac MRI Unit, at Leeds General Infirmary will, indeed, be a first as it will have live cases and hands-on scanning experience for all delegates. Led by Consultant Cardiologists, Dr Sven Plein and Dr John Greenwood, the class on ‘Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance for Coronary Heart Disease’ is a great opportunity for radiologists and cardiologists to hear world-renowned specialists in their field. Places are free and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are interested in joining this Master Class, visit our website or contact Helen Wilson on 0113 234 7474.

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research 5 Project Updates Heart Research UK makes sure that the money donated by our supporters is being spent on medical research projects. We get regular progress reports from our researchers and, at the end of their project, a final report that spells out what they have and achieved. Here are the latest:

Research Training Fellowships Over recent years, Heart Research UK has awarded special grants to high-calibre and talented clinicians through Research Training Fellowships which give them the opportunity to enhance their career by learning new techniques and gaining invaluable research skills. John Wild and Simon Duggan give us their reports.

Investigating the genes involved in wide association studies’ (GWAS), have been abdominal aortic aneurysm used to discover a wide range of genetic markers that have linked genes with particular diseases. Dr John Wild, University of Leicester - £49,000 It is hoped that in the future it will be possible to An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a use this marker, along with others, to calculate progressive ballooning of part of the aorta, the risk of a patient suffering from an AAA the largest artery in the body. It extends from and improve the monitoring of aneurysms, so the heart to the abdomen and it is within the reducing the need for multiple hospital visits and abdomen that this enlargement occurs. The wall costly radiological scans. By identifying those at of the aneurysm is weaker than a normal artery risk at an earlier stage, patients may be given life- and may not be able to withstand the pressure saving aneurysm repair surgery to prevent the of blood inside. The main concern is that the weakened aorta from rupturing. aneurysm may rupture, causing severe internal bleeding, which is fatal in more than 80% of Results cases. The risk of AAA increases with age and is This research has shown the importance of the more common in men, affecting up to eight in LRP1 gene in AAA and that this association is not 100 men over the age of 65. The reasons why due to lower blood levels of LRP1 in people with some people develop aneurysms are unclear. AAA. The Leicester team will now investigate Recently, large multinational studies have been the link between the LRP1 gene and AAA and the carried out where thousands work has led to collaboration with other groups of people with a particular in the UK, Denmark and New Zealand. disease have a set of DNA markers examined and “My fellowship provided me with an compared to the DNA excellent opportunity to conduct the of thousands of people research and I am extremely grateful without the disease, to identify genetic to HRUK for all of their support in differences. allowing me to do this.” These studies, known as ‘genome

6 Research Grants Mr Simon Duggan, Bristol Heart Institute - the shape and activity of the mitochondria. The £117,000 research provided crucial information and gives us a better understanding of the changes in the During atherosclerosis, fat and cholesterol heart caused by coronary artery disease. In the build up on the lining of arteries in the heart. future, this may lead to better treatments that This is called coronary artery disease and as target the mitochondria, to protect the hearts of the disease progresses the arteries of the heart patients undergoing heart surgery become narrowed, restricting blood flow to the and angioplasty. heart muscle which can cause angina and, in serious cases, a heart attack. “I was honoured and grateful to Treatments such as angioplasty and heart bypass surgery can restore the blood supply to the heart receive this prestigious Heart but, in doing so, can lead to unwanted, irreversible Research UK Fellowship. I would heart damage known as ‘reperfusion injury’. like to thank HRUK’s generous donors and, also, acknowledge Small structures inside cells called mitochondria the continued guidance, support act as the powerhouses of the heart, burning and inspiration of my academic fuels such as glucose to provide energy for the cells and powering every heartbeat. However, supervisors Professors Saadeh under certain conditions these reactions can Suleiman and Gianni Angelini. ” become unbalanced leading to harmful levels of these reactive by-products a state known as ‘oxidative stress’. Reperfusion injury is partly triggered by oxidative stress in heart cells which in turn damages the mitochondria. Coronary artery disease influences the level of oxidative stress in heart cells and, therefore, the mitochondria but, until now, research has been limited to studying ‘normal’ hearts. This project has been investigating this further with a new experimental model which closely mimics coronary artery disease in humans. Results Using special techniques to monitor heart cell activity, Mr Duggan showed that, as coronary artery disease progressed, there were signs that the heart cells adapted and became more resistant to reperfusion injury compared with healthy hearts. Interestingly, this adaptation in diseased hearts was associated with changes in

Apply for a grant www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants 7 Developing a new technique for testing anti-arrhythmic drugs Dr Christopher George at Cardiff University’s Wales Heart Research Institute was awarded a £230,000, Novel and Emerging Technologies Grant to develop a new way of screening anti- arrhythmic drugs.

Why the project was needed How it will help Problems with the heart rhythm, called This information puts us in a much better arrhythmias, can result in un-coordinated position to identify drugs that may cause heart muscle contractions. Depending on the arrhythmias and damage the heart. Importantly, severity and type, cardiac arrhythmias can we can use this knowledge to begin designing lessen the quality or length of a person’s life. new drugs that do not disrupt the calcium In some cases, it can even cause sudden death. signals. This may lead to new heart drugs that Cardiac arrhythmias are extremely common are not only safer, but that will work much and can be treated by a range of drugs known more effectively to restore normal heart as anti-arrhythmics. However, sometimes these rhythm in patients. drugs are not very effective, and in some cases

they can actually make things worse. So why is it proving so difficult to find better drugs and Dr George said: “The NET grant from Heart eliminate those that have harmful side effects? Research UK allowed us to take important The problem is that there are no good ‘early steps towards redefining the way in which warning’ systems for testing whether anti- we assess the efficacy and potential arrhythmics will be effective or whether they hazards of cardiovascular drugs. The will make things worse in any given situation. award gave us the time and resource to Therefore, to find new and better drugs, we must design new approaches for interpreting develop better ways of screening them. the tell-tale signals that drugs produce in populations of heart cells. In heart disease, the organisation of calcium signals in heart cells becomes disrupted and “By decoding these signals, and looking at normal heart rhythm breaks down. the way in which signals from multiple cells weave together, we can now identify whether What they did a drug is likely to be harmful or beneficial, Dr George and his team developed a test that even if the cells show no outward sign of measures these calcium signals in normal and damage or distress. This new advance will diseased situations. They also studied how help develop the next generation of better, anti-arrhythmic drugs interfere with the pattern safer cardiovascular drugs.” and organisation of the calcium signals. Using sophisticated microscopes, they looked inside large networks of heart cells that had formed beating units in the lab and measured the patterning of the calcium signals after they had been treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs. The team developed a way of analysing this information to tell whether the calcium signalling profile suggested that a drug was likely to be safe or not.

8 Research Grants

Children’s Rehabilitation Currently, if an adult suffers a heart attack or is hospitalised through heart problems, they leave 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. Here Richard Horn from the Children’s Health & Exercise Research Centre at the University of Exeter explains how a new project will develop a rehabilitation toolkit for children who have undergone heart surgery or who are living with a congenital heart condition, thanks to a £42,000 grant from Heart Research UK.

Improving exercise advice for young people This breakdown in communication results in with a congenital heart condition many young people leading a sedentary lifestyle, For children and adolescents, taking part in unnecessarily restricted from participation. sports and other physical activities should be an Perhaps more worryingly, there is also evidence enjoyable part of daily life. There is now a great that some children, unaware of recommended deal of scientific evidence that regular exercise in restrictions, are taking part in physical activities childhood has many benefits, including healthy which are potentially harmful to their health. development of the musculoskeletal system, body composition, coordination, flexibility, social My project is based at the Children’s Health and skills and psychological wellbeing. There is also Exercise Research Centre in the University of considerable evidence that a sedentary lifestyle Exeter, with links to the Bristol Royal Hospital for carries long term risks to health. Clearly, it is Children and aims to improve the advice about important that all children, including those with exercise given to children with a congenital an underlying medical condition, are encouraged heart condition. Having reviewed all the relevant to participate fully in sporting activities. scientific literature to review the evidence for promoting a physically active lifestyle to Unfortunately, for many children growing up children with specific cardiac conditions, I with a heart condition, taking exercise may be a am also conducting a survey of health care source of stress and anxiety. How do you know if professionals to assess the current information a particular activity is advisable? What intensity of about exercise and to determine what obstacles exercise is safe? Is it possible to modify, or opt out, may be preventing clinicians from providing of sporting activities at school, without drawing more detailed, comprehensive advice. Also, I will attention to what many feel is private medical investigate the experience of patients and their information? Could exercise help to reduce the families, to develop a clearer understanding of symptoms caused by a cardiac condition? the current gap in provision. Most people rely primarily on health care For the vast majority of children, physical professionals, such as cardiac consultants and activity at an appropriate level is not only safe, specialist nurses, to provide them with advice it is positively beneficial and should be seen as about exercise. However, several studies have an enjoyable part of everyday life. By improving revealed a significant mismatch between the understanding of how an individual’s heart the medical opinions of clinicians and the condition affects their ability to exercise safely we understanding of young people and their parents. hope to promote a more active lifestyle and help children to live healthier, happier, longer lives.

More grant info on our website www.heartresearch.org.uk/research 9 Danny’s inspiration Sports journalism student, Danny Roberts, attended our photocall with Adrian Purtell to announce the rugby player becoming a Heart Research UK ambassador. Danny, who’s studying at Leeds Trinity University, has an avid interest in all things sport and is a firm believer in leading a healthy lifestyle. He currently writes freelance articles for Forty-20 rugby league magazine, appears on Bolton FM as a rugby league correspondent and is the media liaison officer at Westhoughton Lions RLFC.

“Adrian Purtell is something that I think we should all take heed just one of the many of. Having a heart attack doesn’t have to be amazing people the end of life as you know it, with charities to overcome heart such as Heart Research UK leading the way in problems and the first researching how to help people suffering heart of, what I think will be conditions, we can all rest easy knowing that many, willing, high help is available to anyone that may need it now profile ambassadors or in the future. Seeing Adrian overcome this for Heart Research adversity to play for Bradford Bulls once more UK. Having met both is inspirational to all and, since meeting Heart Adrian and Heart Research UK, I have been inspired day-in-day- Research UK’s National Director, Barbara out to live and eat healthily and stay active. Harpham, and Communications Manager, “I think Heart Research UK has taught me and Chris Child, I know that this partnership can only many others that if you live a healthy heart inspire their many followers to lead lifestyle, you can avoid these occurrences. healthy lifestyles. Whilst writing this piece, I’ve thought of a “In some cases, heart attacks can be freak phrase that, I believe, sums up Heart Research occurrences, as in Adrian’s case. However, UK’s message: “If you look after your heart, your leading a healthy lifestyle is something that heart will look after you.” Heart Research UK is keen to promote and

Come dine with Helen Helen Khan, from Bristol, has already raised over £500 for Heart Research UK’s pioneering research by putting on two dinners and encouraging online donations. After a series of heart operations from a young age, at 18, she was diagnosed with infective endocarditis, has had three open heart operations and, at the age of 38, lives with an artificial mitral valve replacement.

“Having experienced open heart surgery and the fantastic care the Bristol team have taken of me, I have been inspired to raise money for Heart Research UK’s research projects. As a patient I’ve seen such progress in cardiac care over 20 years that was made possible with funding from charities like Heart Research UK.”

10 Fundraising challenges Kilimanjaro challenge for our brave walkers Family heart attacks prompt challenge Heather Laing remained positive after her mother and grandmother suffered heart attacks – by deciding to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Heather, a doctor from Portsmouth, and her two school friends Carrie and Kate, set out on a trek of a lifetime in memory of Heather’s grandmother, who died in 1990 when Heather was just two years old. Heather’s mother also suffered a heart attack three years ago but, thankfully, has made an excellent recovery with no problems since. to reach the glaciers that led up to Uhuru. Looking back, Heather described their adventure as an amazing experience.

“I loved every part of it and still smile every time I think about it. I’m looking forward to the next adventure and want to do the Inca trail in 2014.”

Heather (centre) with Carrie and Kate Heather chose to support Heart Research UK because she feels that, although research into heart disease has progressed and brought about The six-day trek took in the Rongai route up more effective treatment, it still needs more Kilimanjaro and passed through farmland to support than ever. forest to alpine moorland and harsh, dry desert

£3,000 target for Melanie Prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease is close to home for Melanie Langer after her father suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and other members of her family live with heart disease. Inspired by Heart Research UK’s work, Melanie was excited by the potential of research to not only save lives, but also improve the quality of life for those who are living with heart conditions. Four years ago, Melanie set an ambitious goal to Melanie at the summit raise £3,000 for Heart Research UK and, since then, she has been amazed at how many people have got involved in her fundraising. “People’s Melanie was also sponsored to climb Mount response to this cause has been fantastic and Kilimanjaro earlier this year, close to the fifth I think the fact that we have been able to raise anniversary of her father’s death. It was an this amount speaks volumes for how HRUK is emotional experience, “The journey to the highly valued,” said Melanie. summit was challenging but to raising funds for Heart Research made it a meaningful and Friends have been helping her reach her target rewarding experience. Thanks, everyone, for with lots of local events and activities. Even helping me to reaching the £3,000 target. It’s the local golf course got involved, allowing the been a team effort and an achievement we can use of their pitch and putt course for three all be proud of.” consecutive years to host an annual pitch and putt tournament.

To raise money for us see our website www.heartresearch.org.uk 11 Helping hearts in Brighton We’re very grateful to John and Marie Carey who raised over £1 ,500 for Heart Research UK running the Brighton Marathon. John’s father unfortunately suffered with heart problems later in life and Marie’s mother is sadly terminally ill with chronic heart disease.

“Running 26.2 miles is a very, very long way but we wanted to challenge ourselves as well as raising money for a charity which is important to us. It’s not just the elderly who are affected by heart disease and we tragically also lost a dear friend, in the prime of his life, a couple of years ago. We understand that times are difficult for many of us at the moment, but even the smallest donation will go a long way to helping fund HRUK’s pioneering medical research.”

They’re still taking donations at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarieCarey1

The Art of Nigel Nigel Jeavons from Brentwood, Essex, is not just a full-time kitchen designer. In his spare time, he’s an accomplished artist who has created a piece, ‘You and Me’, currently being sold on Easyart. Nigel feels it’s important to continue helping hearts, as his father and grandfather both died from heart failure at the age of 67. A generous 50% of his sale royalties is going to Heart Research UK. His donation will really help us to continue our work into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. Have a look at this and more of Nigel’s work on Easyart, a site that prints it on demand after purchase, then directly dispatches it to the customer. Look also on the Saatchi websites.

12 Fundraising challenges Geoff Major bike ride Seventh heaven for Geoff Geoff Major never does anything by halves. The fundraising adventurer has already raised money for Heart Research UK on a ski-trek to the North Pole and back as well as cycling across Cuba and, later this year, he’s trekking across the Sahara Desert. So when he tackled a “mini” challenge in between his North Pole and Sahara expeditions, we knew it would be something unusual –a ride across Yorkshire on a circular bicycle built for seven. Geoff’s four-day ‘UK Mini Tour’, travelled 160 Geoff started supporting Heart Research UK miles across Yorkshire covering an average because a family member had a heart attack 40 miles per day over four legs - from York to but survived thanks to a triple heart bypass Manchester and Bolton’s Hospice and back. operation that Geoff believes would not have Geoff was there the whole time and, along the been possible without the pioneering work of way, was joined by 24 other people, including Heart Research UK. Heart Research UK’s Chris Child, and Finance “Although great progress has been executive, Karen Murphy, cycling from York made, heart disease remains one of to Wetherby with Lifestyle Officer, Katharine the UK’s most significant health issues Greathead, and PR Officer Faye Keatley pedalling but I have seen, first-hand, the benefits into Leeds. to my family.” But it doesn’t stop there. The bike ride is one of his two challenges for 2013 and this tour is simply a training exercise for two bigger tours that Geoff plans to complete on the seven-seater Conference Bike in the future. In between he’ll be doing a 105km trek on foot across the Sahara desert in October. Good luck Geoff!

The £8,000 bike, known as the Conference Bike was donated free of charge for Geoff’s challenge by the ‘Get Cycling’ bicycle shop in York who encouraged him to also raise funds for their charity of the year, Disability Action Yorkshire, Muscular Dystrophy and Heart Research UK.

Follow us on Twitter @heartresearchuk 13 Wetherby District Lions Club, Wetherby | £500 – Quiz Peter Beaver, Bexley Heath | £10 – Dry January Hazel Forrest, Kirkby-in-Ashfield | £20 – Church Coffee Morning Thirsk School and Sixth Form College, Thirsk | £24.97 – Annual Charity Fayre Brian Cooke, Loughborough | £30 – Birthday Donation Hemel Hempstead Tangent Club | £200 – Charity of the Year Burgh Charity Bingo Club, Lincolnshire | £78.96 – Donation from winnings Preston College, Preston | £121.31 – Digital and Creative Student Fundraising ASDA Killingbeck, Leeds | £50 - Community Charity Donation ASDA Morley, Leeds | £200 - Community Charity Donation ASDA Bradford | £200 - Community Charity Donation Anne McKay, Glasgow | £60 - Donation from Raffle virtualDCS, Leeds | £315 – Donations from Buy Yorkshire raffle

Remembering loved ones Heart Research UK would like to give a special thank you to those who have donated in memory of the following loved ones: David Sharp | Brain Howell | Mabel Roden | Victor Ashton | Roy Raby | Mr A Brooke | James Henderson | Ronnie Cust | Geoffrey Hutchinson | Leslie Kenningham | Albert Padmore | Lily Acklam | Alfred Minton | Amy O’Donnell | Ralph Parish | Jane Holmes | Paul Anthony Waite | Les Williams | Mrs Marsil | Sir James McKenzie | Bessie Harvey | Ethel Whitteron | Diana Margaret Regan A special thanks to those who remembered the following with particularly generous donations: 14 RajuSpecial Patel | Gordon People Ramsey | Authur James Mee Shadwell Primary School Big Bake At the end of their ‘Health Week’, pupils at Shadwell Primary School in Leeds deserved a little treat after being so healthy and, at the same time, raised £505.70 in a homemade cake sale for Heart Research UK. This is not the first time that the school has helped raised money for Heart Research UK. In previous years they’ve also taken part in Heart Research UK’s annual ‘Sing for your Heart’. HRUK’s Lifestyle Officer, Katharine Greathead regularly goes into the school to speak about Healthy Hearts and how to keep them fit and well, inspiring the children to support Heart Research UK.

Lincolnshire Lionhearts It’s a real honour to have been chosen by the problems when their son, Christopher, suffered a Lions District 105E in Lincolnshire as their heart attack, aged 40, and had two stents fitted, charity of the year. Heart Research UK holds a thankfully making a complete recovery. special place in the Lions members’ hearts as “We became more aware of other friends, friend and fellow Lion, Tim Barker, sadly died young children and members of the Lions from a heart attack two years ago. His death had family with heart-related problems a profound effect on everyone and they have and decided we would like to raise been working hard since 2012 to raise money. funds for medical research. We Over 200 Lions attended the District Convention hope that funds raised from the where there were business sessions, workshops District Governor’s wife’s appeal and seminars, promotional stalls for the various for Heart Research UK will make Lions programmes and initiatives, plus the Heart a real difference.” Research UK stall manned by Heart Research Lions are members of Lions UK Fundraiser, Lynne Desborough. A Murder Clubs International, the Mystery- themed evening and a Banquet & Ball world’s largest voluntary were just some other highlights from humanitarian service their activities. organisation with 46,000 clubs District Governor, Michael Philips and his wife, and 1.3 million members worldwide. Patricia, were also affected with family heart

MAD Ball Dina Patel, Store Franchisee and Sandy Patel, Field Consultant for SUBWAY® stores in the Reading area raised over £10,000 for the Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant scheme – a magnificent achievement. Their fantastic fundraising total was achieved Dina Patel said: through the Make a Difference (MAD) Ball held on “We had a great evening and managed Saturday 2 May at the Hilton Hotel in Watford. to raise a significant amount of money SUBWAY® franchisees, friends and family were for a fantastic good cause. We have all there in support, and generous donations some exciting plans ahead including from Barclays Bank and Tesh and Jit Patel, hopes to hold another ball next year. SUBWAY® Brand development agents, all helped We’d like to thank everyone involved.” to make the night a huge success.

Want to raise funds for us? Please call 0113 234 7474 15 Virgin London Marathon London Marathon runners do us proud It was a fantastic day – and lovely weather - for our 22-strong Heart Research UK London Marathon Team. The runners were greeted on the day by blissful sunshine to complete their 26- mile run with 36,000 others from all over the UK and the world. The day was a great success with all our runners finishing in good time and good health. Congratulations to all our runners, you did HRUK and yourselves proud.

Stuart Obbard Louise Pinder Kat MacKenzie 4 hrs 30 mins 4 hrs 31 mins 4 hrs 23 mins Stuart, 32, from Kent, ran the Louise from Mirfield ran for the first Kat, 32, from London took part in marathon for the first time this time to combat her very strong her first-ever London Marathon in year as a number of his relatives family history of heart problems memory of much loved Teesside have been seriously affected by by staying fit and healthy as well skateboarder and friend, Steve heart disease and high cholesterol, as to give something back to Heart ‘Bingo’ Binks, who died from a including Stuart’s dad who died of a Research UK. sudden heart attack in 2011, aged heart attack in 2011, aged just 61. just 35. Kat wanted to raise money so “I absolutely loved the whole day that others can avoid the same fate “I am feeling proud of myself as from the beginning to the end and as Bingo. I have now completed a life goal the atmosphere on the course was but it hasn’t completely sunk in yet. amazing. The hardest bit was at 20 “I had an absolutely fantastic time Everyone that came out to cheer miles when my knee injury started running the London Marathon to raise runners on did London and the playing up but I had to push on with money for Heart Research UK and country proud. As the saying goes it it to the end as I had made a promise can count the experience as one of was “The Great British Spirit. Would I to myself I would run the whole way the best days of my life! I am so proud do it again? That is easy.... Yes!” to repay all the people who had so to have raised money through this generously donated to the charity.” challenge and already want to do it all next year.”

16 Virgin London Marathon runners SteppingH outeart for Hheartealthy health

Turn to page 34 Virgin London Marathon London Marathon runners do us proud

Well done to Paul Langford Monika Tamics 5 hrs 33 mins 6 hrs 18 mins all of our other runners: Paul, 31, from Portsmouth ran Monika, another first timer, whose the Virgin London Marathon for father has suffered with heart Sophie Amor the third year in a row to raise problems for some time, has 5 hrs 21 mins money for Heart Research UK supported Heart Research UK in the after heart-related illnesses past by running the Great North Run. Haj Atwal struck family members. 4 hrs 45 mins “The London Marathon is a must if “The crowds really helped to pull you enjoy running. Until you have done Anna Atwal me through the last eight miles or one, you don’t really know what to 4 hrs 44 mins so when the going got really tough. expect. I got injured quite early on and Martin Carter I made it to the end quicker than my it got worse by every km, but it was 3 hrs 49 mins previous two years and I managed an amazing experience and I’m really to raise around £1600 for Heart proud that I managed to finish.” Graeme Dearie Research along the way. It was 4 hrs 56 mins one of my proudest days so far, without doubt..” Nigel Dewey 4 hrs 55 mins Kevin Johnson 3 hrs 42 mins Daryl Jones 6 hrs 16 mins Maz Michaelas 4 hrs 41 mins Simon and Ben Mortimer 4 hrs 17 mins Kenny Murray 4 hrs 23 mins Liam Nolan 5 hrs 41 mins Thomas Pearson 5 hrs 46 mins Oliver Pratt 4 hrs 11 mins Derek Wilks 3 hrs 41 mins Tina Woods 5 hrs 5 mins

Fancy doing the Great North Run? www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/ 17 HRUKHRUK in the Midlands Helpingin heartsthe record Midlands at Deutsche Bank “This must be a Midlands record, “said Barbara Dinsdale, HR UK Lifestyle Manager, when more than 90 Deutsche Bank staff at the Birmingham Brindley Place and Baskerville House branches took the opportunity to have a healthy heart lifestyle check. It was all part of our long-standing relationship with Deutsche Bank, and was a great way, over the two days, to help them celebrate Earth Week. It’s the sort of event that shows people just how healthy their current lifestyle really is and , along the way, teaches people about Heart Research UK’s work. It was also a new experience and change from their normal office activities for new members of the Midlands’ team - Joanne Taylor and Maisie Hunspal - who helped with the one-to-one consultants, taking BMI measurements, blood pressure and completing questionnaires.

Chicken and egg at the Holiday Inn Our new partnership with the Holiday Inn, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham started with a surprise for John Lloyd, Regional Manager of Heart Research UK in the Midlands and Sheila Kelly-Trow from Gem Media. No, not the eggs, but meeting a giant chicken who presented them with their Easter treats before flying off to meet other Birmingham VIPs.

Wedding Bells Weddings are about love and your heart so it not unusual to find Heart Research UK exhibiting at the Wedding Show hosted by Smallbrook Holiday Inn. It was an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the charity, as well showcasing Mother of the Bride outfits from HRUK supporter B.O.W (Beautiful Occasion Wear). Britain’s top watercolour artist, Sue Howells also donated a limited edition “Love Your Heart” print for the raffle which was won by the DJ performing at the event. He was so pleased that he very kindly donated the prize back to the charity as well as offering his services and raffle prizes at other HRUK events. We had another lovely offer, too, when fantastic magician, John Parkin, also generously offered his services at future HRUK events.

18 HRUK in the Midlands Community matters to Waitrose In one month, two Waitrose stores raised nearly £1,000 for Heart Research UK to add to the thousands already raised in our on-going relationship with local stores. A bag pack at Harborne HRUK Waitrose by HRUK Midlands staff and volunteers on Good Friday, one of the busiest days of the Easter period, raised a fantastic £750.00. HRUK was also chosen, not for the first time, for the Waitrose Community Matters Scheme at the Sutton Coldfield branch in February, giving £200 in the Midlands for projects in the Midlands.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

Simon Whitmore, Branch Manager, together with six friends, is also running the Bupa Great Birmingham Run - formerly the Birmingham Half Marathon - in October 2013 in support of HRUK.

Ladies Lunch at Chamberlains Family-run Chamberlains restaurant warmly welcomed over 20 ladies to a special Fish and Chip lunch with talks and raffle and, at the same time, helped to raise a brilliant total of £848.00. Our latest event at their popular Raised restaurant was organised by Heart Research UK and Sheila Kelly-Trow from local magazine, Gem Media. John Lloyd, our Regional Manager explained £848 how Heart Research UK raises money locally and spends it locally and has paid for a project at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Guest speakers, up and coming children’s author, Carmen Capuano, and personal stylist Libby Walton from Styling You, made it the perfect Ladies Lunch. A big thank you to Angela Houston from’ Floral Scenter’ of Station Road, Harborne for donating a beautiful basket of flowers and to Vivien Siberry-Scott from Jewellers, Sutton and Robertsons of Corporation Street, Birmingham who donated a lovely pair of cufflinks for the raffle. Look out for more HRUK events held at Chamberlains over the coming year including a Family Fun Day. For every healthy options meal bought – the grilled fish salad - Chamberlains give a 50p donation to Heart Research UK.

Contact our Midlands office on 0121 454 1799 19 HRUKHRUK in in the the MidlandsMidlands Heart and Soul for Ethan Thanks Fans travelled from as far away as Hartlepool to Calthorpe Old Boys Club in Digbeth, Birmingham for their musical passion and raised money for HRUK and Ethan’s Gift. Many even dressed up for their trip down memory lane. Organised by Andrew Marshall, father of the late Ethan Marshall, who was just three when he died from heart problems, ‘Heart and Soul’ was an enthusiast’s perfect night of Northern Soul. More than 100 guests, along with Andrew and other family members and friends, danced the night away and raised £2,000. Andrew was overwhelmed with their support and said how all proceeds from the dance would go towards projects at The Birmingham Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit. John Lloyd, Midlands Regional Manager, HRUK, said: “It was a great way to remember Ethan. The generosity of all those who came along reflected just how much they cared.” Check www.heartresearch.org.uk /midlands/ for the next Northern Soul night in the autumn.

Father and son team Congratulations to father and son Simon and Ben Mortimer from Birmingham who completed the Virgin London Marathon 2013 in just over four hours Raised and 17 minutes. Simon, a solicitor in Birmingham £2,612 City Council’s criminal prosecutions team, and his so far! son Ben, events assistant at St Philips Chambers in Temple Row, are hoping to raise £4,000 for Heart Research UK. You can still contribute on:

http:/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/samandbenrun

20 HRUK in the Midlands HRUK Thanks in the Midlands ThanksMr & Mrs Martin and Vivienne Smith, Manchester £500 60th birthday donation – their son recently had surgery for aortic stenosis and an aortic mechanical heart valve. “We realise that without the research that a charity like yours carries out he may not have been fortunate enough to have had this surgery,” they said.

Thank you for the kind donations in memory of the following: Dorothy Arnold, £1000 | Eddie Smith, £112.29 | George Nixon, £50

Trip to the Lords We recently auctioned a trip for four to the House of Lords and it was won by Mrs Heidi Kubik with a bid of £300. She was shown round by Baroness Frances D’ Souza the Lords Speaker who gave them tea. In addition Heidi wanted to take her mum and donated a further £100. Said Heidi: “Baroness de Souza was absolutely charming. We had a fabulous day and learnt so much.”

Dinner at Emporio Maria Emporio Maria Italian restaurant in Harborne hosted a dinner. A big thank you to all of its staff, GEM Media who arranged the dinner and to everyone who came along to this really enjoyable night that raised £511.

Raised £511

Contact our Midlands office on 0121 454 1799 21 Abdul Ghafoor Delivering what taste Look and quality in a we’ve been up to healthy way! Curry can love your heart Most of us love a curry – but does a curry really love us? Abdul Ghafoor, who runs Abdul’s Indian takeaways in Wakefield and Pontefract, recognised a gap in the market and wanted to change perceptions of “fast food” such as curries always being classed as “bad for you”. Curries have become a much loved part of the British diet so we, at Heart Research UK, were delighted to support Abdul with something that would encourage people to eat a healthier version of their favourite Asian dish, especially healthier options at his Indian takeaways. Abdul didn’t want to simply add less cream and went through the process properly, developing a range that delivered on taste and quality, while also being healthier. He created four special dishes, analysed by a food scientist to ensure they meet the requirements of reduced amount of salt, saturated fat and calories in his healthy options range – Lamb Nihari, Chicken Khyber, Chicken Massala and Chicken Balti. They’re a must for health conscious curry lovers.

Hartley is a star performer Our “hearty” mascot Hartley has been out and about getting himself in the limelight over the past few months. His first outing was in a half-time “friendly” match Keighley youngster, Josh Hudson put his heart with other mascots including Town’s Terrier at condition to one side running the Sue Ryder the Huddersfield Town v Cardiff City game. Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby racecourse Our thanks go to Lupton Fawcett’s Samantha dressed as our mascot Hartley. Josh has been Thorpe for being Hartley on that cold February through a lot during his young life having a series day. She really got into the spirit of the occasion. of operations after being born with the rare transposition of the arteries in his heart. He is Hartley joined the Castleford Tigers Healthy one of the few people to live past the age of eight Heart Grant recipients on the pitch at their game with this condition and he’s still to have surgery against London Broncos. The club’s Community to correct a leaking heart valve. Well done and Trust has been running a project to teach thanks, Josh – who raised over £100. schoolchildren how to look after their hearts.

22 Look what we’ve been up to Adrian’s story

We had a ball Turn to page 3 This year’s Helping Hearts Ball, held at picturesque Oulton Hall, was a night of glitz and glamour, raising thousands of pounds for HRUK. After a champagne reception, National Director, Barbara Harpham, welcomed the guests and at the end of the meal our new sports Ambassador, Bradford Bulls Rugby League player Adrian Purtell, told everyone about his amazing return to the field following his heart attack.

Brownies helping their hearts We all know how important it is to get good healthy heart messages out there to young people and Brownies up and down the country are discovering that you’re never too young to look after your heart by completing their Healthy Heart activity badge. Teaming up with Girlguiding UK, we helped to Hilary Cooper Chief Commissioner for create the Healthy Heart activity badge that Girlguiding North East England said: teaches the youngsters how to keep their hearts healthy through good diet, exercise and not “It is very important for all the Brownies smoking. It’s the perfect way to educate children to have an understanding of how they and also hope that they pass on good healthy can live the happiest, healthiest life practices to their friends and families. More possible and this badge is a fun way for than 20,000 Brownies across the country have them to get the message and then to already completed the badge which has been spread it to lots of people they know.” running for five years. Brownie leaders wanting to know more The 6th Wetherby Brownies in Yorkshire about the Healthy Heart badge should is one group which has just completed the contact our Lifestyle team for a support badge. The 21 youngsters had to create healthy pack on 0113 297 6206 heart posters, plan and prepare a healthy packed lunch, understand the importance of exercise, create healthy heart games and learn about the dangers of smoking and the damage it does to the heart. Group leader, Fiona Jones, said she felt they almost had a duty to help the girls live a healthy lifestyle to pass on good habits to the next generation.

For more people stories www.heartresearch.org.uk/ 23 HRUK

eventsRun, walk, sing for your heart How about a Ben Nevis challenge? At 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level, in “Climbing Ben Nevis is a real challenge, not the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of something to be taken lightly – but what an Fort William, Ben Nevis has spectacular and achievement! By taking part, not only will you dramatic views of the Highlands & Western be helping a very worthy cause but you’ll be Isles and we’re very excited to bring you committing to an active and healthier lifestyle in our very first ‘Ben Nevis Challenge’ on the process. I am excited to be supporting Heart 11-13 October. Research UK’s first Ben Nevis Challenge and I wish all the hikers the best of luck with There’s no climbing involved, you will follow their adventure.” a path, over uneven terrain at times, rising gradually in places with steeper and rocky The weekend starts with a coach transfer sections and guides will be on hand throughout between Glasgow and Fort William on the the day to support and assist you. Friday afternoon, then two nights hotel accommodation in Fort William including all meals and a celebration party on the Saturday evening as well as full support from Heart Research UK with t-shirts, sponsor forms and fundraising ideas and top tips. All this for a non-refundable entry fee of £50 and your pledge to raise a minimum of £500 (not including Gift Aid) for Heart Research UK - £200 of this to be raised by 15 September 2013. Go on, get your walking boots on and put your best foot forward and register now We’re delighted, too, that famous mountaineer, for this fun weekend where you’ll reach the Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman summit of the highest mountain in the UK to reach the summit of Mount Everest, will be and help us to raise much-needed funds supporting our walkers on their trek to the top for the prevention, treatment and cure of of Ben Nevis. heart disease.

Contact Lynne, for further information or to register, on 0113 234 7474 or email [email protected].

24 HRUK Events HRUK SUBWAY® Helping Hearts family 5Ks Following on the success of the first HRUK Subway 5km event in Belfast last year, we’ve once again teamed up with SUBWAY® to bring you, not one but six, HRUK SUBWAY Helping Hearts™ Family 5K fun runs all over the UK. Roundhay Park, Leeds, the home of HRUK, was the first in the series and hundreds of local families ran, strolled and pushed prams all the way to the finish line, to raise funds for Heart Research UK. Star guest, SUBWAY® Famous Fan and Olympic gymnast, Louis Smith, was also there to inspire local families to get healthy and active.After the fun run, competitors were greeted by family and friends to enjoy a free family fun day, entertainment, family games, face-paint and a picnic. Following the first event in Leeds, the HRUK SUBWAY Helping Hearts™ Family 5K will be touring the UK heading to Lanarkshire (7 July), Cardiff (11 August) Maidstone (1 September), Belfast (8 September) and Manchester(29 September). The races are open to the whole family, whether you are a novice or just want to beat your personal best. The events are free for children and £5.99 for adults, with all money raised going towards the Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant scheme.

For more information or to register please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events/subwayfamily5k See you there! Start planning to Sing for your heart Christmas is a long way away but it’s never too Bradford, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Sheffield, early to start planning what you’re going to do Birmingham, York, Nottingham, Newcastle and for Sing for your Heart 2013. many more organised by people like you up and down the country. Our festive fundraiser gets better and better and thanks to last year’s wonderful singers and Hull-based All For One Choir raised almost music makers, we managed to raise almost £4,000 at their Christmas concert last £20,000. This year the target is £25,000 so year at Hull City Hall. Choir founders, we’d love to hear from you and what you’ve got Helen and Paul Garnett said: “We’ve planned. Contact Kathy on 0113 274 3434 or supported Heart Research [email protected] for a pack or UK for five years and look download from www.heartresearch.org.uk/ forward to working with them singforyourheart in the future.” In 2012, they teamed up with the Fell Hundreds of talented performers in choirs, Family to raise money bands and music groups or individuals who just for a HRUK project that want to feel good, from all over the UK, come could help with Sudden together at events to Sing for your Heart. Look Death Syndrome which out for the smiling faces at Heart Research UK’s sadly took the life of Josh own events in stations and shopping centres in Fell in 2011. Interested? For details visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/events 25 Company Help Golden Girl Hannah The sixth limited edition Damart ‘Love Your Heart’ charity t-shirt celebrity model is Yorkshire’s own double Paralympic gold medallist, Hannah Cockroft. We had a lovely afternoon on her photo shoot for the Damart catalogue where she told us, “I’m really proud to be the face of this campaign and support the fantastic work that Heart Research UK does. By buying this versatile t-shirt you, too, will be helping a great cause. Please help make a difference and buy one today.” The t-shirts were designed by staff at the Yorkshire-based, home- shopping and online fashion brand, Damart, who has supported Heart Research UK for over six years. The shirts are made of an innovative cooling textile called Ocealis and are on sale now. “The company was delighted to be working with Heart Research UK for a sixth year and was inspired by Hannah’s Olympic achievements,” said Damart’s Phil Anderson. “Damart hopes to raise as much money as possible as well as increasing awareness about heart disease to help our customers, staff and people around the UK look after their hearts and lead a healthy life, like Hannah.” All profits will go to Heart Research UK and, especially, to our children’s rehabilitation project to help youngsters live healthier, happier, longer lives.

To order your limited edition Heart Research UK vest top visit www.damart.co.uk or call 0871 423 0000.

26 Support from companies Healthy Heart Mark companies It’s always encouraging when large companies join our Healthy Heart Mark scheme for employers to help their staff to live healthier lifestyles. They show how companies can take responsibility for looking after their employees and make helping hearts part of going to work. UKAR Mortgage service provider UKAR (UK Asset Resolution), with offices in Crossflatts, Bradford, Doxford, Sunderland and Gosforth, Newcastle began working on becoming a Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Mark employer in 2011. More than 400 UKAR employees had one-to-one healthy heart lifestyle checks and the company led activities such as Zumba exercise sessions, healthy eating workshops and a lunch-time pay and weigh club. Bronze heart mark Health Champion, Vicky Young told us: “We’ve had a tremendous response from award for Drax colleagues since we decided to become a Healthy Heart Mark employer. We will continue Drax based near Selby, owner and operator of introducing a number of initiatives to help all the country’s largest power station, have earned colleagues have healthy hearts, as well as their bronze Heart Research UK Healthy Heart improving their overall health during the year.” Mark Employer Award. Here are a few of their activities for healthy eating, exercise and quit The icing on the cake for us is that UKAR smoking initiatives to improve the health were so pleased that they voted, across all of their staff: their three sites, to make Heart Research UK their nominated Charity of the Year in • “Fruity Friday” to encourage staff to eat 2013. They’re also collecting for our Treasure more fruit Chest appeal and may well be on a zip wire or • highlighting the benefits of eating oily fish and fire-walking for us. introducing it in the staff restaurant • a Walk to Work week and lunchtime walks • on-site yoga sessions • a golf team-building day • signing up staff to run the Escrick 10k event • supporting staff to quit smoking Next stop - silver. To order your limited edition Heart Research UK vest top visit www.damart.co.uk or call 0871 423 0000.

Join our Healthy Heart Mark scheme – call 0113 297 6206 27 HealthyHearts Celebrating 10 Years of Helping Hearts in the Community We’ve been awarding Healthy Heart Grants for 10 years, given out over £1.2m and encouraged people in local communities to reduce their risk of heart disease by changing their lifestyles. What better way to mark the milestone than by holding a special celebration to showcase our projects and the contribution they’ve made to helping hearts across the UK. Let’s not forget, too, SUBWAY® who have, for the past four years, worked with us and donated an additional £90,000 a year for more Healthy Heart Grants, chosen regionally by their franchisees to help hearts in local communities, from money raised by SUBWAY® staff and customers. Along the way, there have been many success stories; from a man who gave up smoking and bought his mother a gold watch with the money he saved, to children who walk to school every day, to making sure people know the healthiest foods and best exercise to keep the hearts of those they look after and care for, healthy. Here’s to the next 10 years. HRUK Latest Healthy Heart Grants Wakefield - Featherstone Rovers Foundation “Kick Start Your Heart”, £9,900 Featherstone Rovers first team players will be helping to kick-start heart-healthy lifestyles in the Featherstone, Airedale, Ferry Fryston and Knottingley, areas with high levels of childhood obesity and high smoking rates. Children aged seven to 11 years in 12 primary schools will learn about their amazing heart muscle, the lifestyle habits that could put them at risk of heart disease and the small changes they can make to keep their hearts healthy.

28 Healthy Hearts Manchester - Lancashire County Cricket Club Foundation “Lanky’s Guide to a Healthy Heart”, £9,300 Lancashire County Cricket Club Foundation (LCCCF) will be working to address the high health inequalities in the Trafford area surrounding the club. To help instil heart-healthy lifestyle habits at a young age, pupils from 30 local primary schools will take part in a Heart Health workshop at the club to learn about healthy eating and cooking, take part in a fun coaching session and get the chance to ask players questions about their health during a stadium tour. Bury – Jigsaw “Heart Smart”, £8,000 Jigsaw, the only charity in Bury that provides sporting activities for disabled people, will work with over 50 young disabled people and their carers to improve and maintain their heart health. From shopping trips, cooking sessions, nutritionist-led interactive information sessions to ‘Heart Art’ workshops, participants will have plenty of hands-on opportunities to acquire the skills to cook and eat for heart health and the confidence to maintain a healthy lifestyle independently.

London - Centre of the Cell “In a Heart Beat”, £9,300 Children and adults living in the Tower Hamlets community, which has a high proportion of BME residents who are more at risk of heart disease, will get the unique experience of stepping into the ‘Centre of the Cell’ pod, suspended above the biomedical laboratories of the Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London. ‘In a Heart Beat’ workshops will be given in nine schools and three community centres to further explore heart disease.

Cambridge, Centre 33 “Happy Hearts”, £5,000 Many young carers in the UK are responsible for shopping and family meal preparation but a lack of skills, finance and time can easily lead to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Centre 33 are working intensively with 20 young carers, aged 8-18 who live in rural South Cambridgeshire, to motivate them to lead heart-healthier lifestyles. Through fun, interactive workshops on healthy eating, exercise and managing stress, they are learning to prepare healthy meals on a budget, try out different sporting activities, how to manage stress and develop their own heart goals.

Hertfordshire, Saracens Sport Foundation “Just Beat It!”, £9,300 Mothers with children aged between six months and four years old are being encouraged to take care of their hearts, and those of their children, through an eight week programme of workshops held in five Children and Community Centres in Hertfordshire. Topics include ‘The Heart at Work’ about the heart and risk factors for heart disease ‘Fuel Your Heart’, on healthy food for the heart and practical cooking skills and ‘Bigger and Stronger’, where the importance of physical activity is stressed and dance sessions (Jazz to Street Dance) - all provided to ease them back into exercise.

To apply for a grant visit www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants 29 Healthy Heart Grant Update Our Healthy Heart Grants - helping to change peoples’ lives Our Healthy Heart Grants are all about getting more people across the country to stop taking their heart for granted and make positive lifestyle changes for a healthier, happier longer life. Here are a couple of recently completed projects that have inspired people to lead heart- healthier lifestyles:

Fuel, Move and Love Your Heart in Kings Norton, Birmingham Eight to 22 year olds living in the Kings Norton Estate in Birmingham were inspired to take care of their hearts by eating more healthily and exercising more through the ‘Love Your Heart’ project run by Kings Norton Catch 22. The ‘Fuel your heart’ cooking sessions were very popular and 94 young people learnt to cook healthily, try new recipes and entertain members of the community at a celebration meal. Young people also got the chance to get fitter through circuit training, skipping sessions and other sports in local parks in the Kings Norton estates. Through this project, 44 young people have gained an AQA qualification in “Cooking and serving a meal for a peer group” and “Walking for pleasure”. A ‘Love Your Heart’ community fun run raised awareness of the project while giving young people the chance to test their stamina. A local group, ‘Friends of the Walkers’ Heath Park’, is now looking to set up a running group for local residents as a result of this event.

Heart health is centre stage at Techniquest, Cardiff With the London Olympics in full flow, last summer was the perfect time for Techniquest, to deliver its ‘Heart of a Champion’ show in its science theatre in Cardiff. The audience, across all ages, was taken on an interactive journey exploring the role of the heart in an average person compared with that of a professional athlete, whilst raising awareness of their own heart health. During the show, 9,300 people listened to heart beats, saw how the heart pumps blood at different rates, learnt about getting energy intake right and willing volunteers even took part in a relay race through wide and narrow (diseased) arteries. A ‘Heart of the Champion’ trail was developed alongside which guided visitors to six exhibits linked with heart health. Feedback forms showed that the show was very well received with 71% feeling encouraged to make heart healthy changes to their lifestyles. 30 Healthy Hearts Healthy Heart HRUK & SUBWAY® Grant Update Heart Grants Helping Hearts with HRUK & Subway® healthy Heart Grants There are sixteen Healthy Heart projects currently running across the country thanks to money raised in SUBWAY® stores. We at Heart Research UK are really grateful for their support and involvement with this scheme. Among recent awards in SUBWAY® regions are:

Yorkshire region Carlton (London) region Sheffield Wednesday Charlton Athletic Community Trust Community Programme “My GOAL is a healthy heart” “Love Hearts” project - Sheffield, - Greenwich, £10,000 £5,200 Players from Charlton Athletic have been visiting Football stars from Sheffield Wednesday are primary schools across Greenwich as part of a helping children in some of the most deprived new project aimed at improving the heart health areas of the city to learn about heart-healthy of local children. The one-year programme will lifestyles. The 2011 Sheffield health census help the schoolchildren gain the knowledge, showed that obesity in 10-11 year olds has steadily attitudes and behaviour that lead to healthy risen to 18%, and in deprived areas this increases lifestyle choices. The programme has already to 22%. The ‘Love Hearts’ project aims to teach had a boost thanks to Charlton’s 23-year-old midfield player, Scott Wagstaff, agreeing to be an children how to look after their hearts through Ambassador for the project. heart-themed games, cooking, dancing and fitness activities. Wales York City Knights Foundation Port Talbot Town Community Sports “Lion Heart” - Port Talbot, £10,000 “Run for a Healthy Heart”- York, £4,697 One of Wales’s youngest-ever international Ten primary schools are being encouraged to footballers, Ryan Green, from Port Talbot FC has ‘Run for a Healthy Heart’ through a programme been putting his heart into a new project, the ‘Lion of classroom activities and physical activity Heart’ programme which aims to improve the sessions. Pupils aged 7 to11 will have an heart health of pupils aged 8 – 11 in every primary interactive two-hour session with York City school in Port Talbot. Using the facilities of Port Knights players and coaches to learn about the Talbot Town’s ‘The Gen Quip Stadium’, pupils will heart and how to eat healthily, not smoke and learn how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle, enjoy exercise regularly. a fun football coaching session on the pitch and record activity levels using pedometers.

HRUK & SUBWAY® healthy heart grants 31 Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust “ICT Healthy Hearts School Visits” - Inverness, £10,000 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust has been taking a programme of heart-healthy activities to 40 rural primary schools in the Inverness area. Over four weeks, 10-11 year old girls and boys have been getting their hearts beating faster through ‘footworx’ sessions - exercise classes done to music based on the basic movement patterns placed upon the body during a game of football. Meridian region Thanet Community Development Trust “The Kitchen Healthy Hearts” – Ramsgate, £10,000 Heart-healthier lifestyles are being encouraged among families in the Thanet community through healthy cooking workshops and family sports days. Ten families at a time will take part in four-hours of cooking activities, learning to prepare heart-healthy food on a budget with less fat, salt and sugar and more fruit, vegetables and oily fishas well as getting their hearts beating faster and learn about the benefits of exercise. HRUK & Subway® Healthy Heart project reports It’s always interesting to know what happens with the projects we give awards to, especially as our intention in awarding the grant is to ensure that the project does have some positive effect on its target community. Disabled group in Rotherham now a shadow The residents, Jo, Christine and Sylvia are just of their former selves three of the 80 adults who have taken part in the Disabled adults at Little Arches Residential Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® project in the Home in Rotherham have shown exactly how a past year. Heart Research UK & SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant of almost £10,000 can make a difference to their lives as they have become a shadow of their former selves. The “Every Player Counts” programme, run by Rotherham United Community Sports Trust (RUCST), involved disabled adults in the town in sports, exercise and living a healthier lifestyle. RUCST launched the programme to tackle the shocking statistic that over 90% of disabled people do not take part in any kind of sporting Sylvia Fox, 61, lost nearly three stones and activity. The specially adapted activity sessions 15% body fat during the project and is no longer have focussed on building fitness through a classed as a diabetic and no longer has to take range of sports and exercise. medication. Now, results taken from three of the Jo Reed is 32 and has been living in Little residents show that they have lost almost six Arches for two years and has lost nearly a stone stones between them, reduced their waist as well as reducing her body fat by 10%. She is no size and each has lost over 10% of their body longer out of breath and can walk a lot further. fat – all factors that will lessen their chances of getting heart disease.

32 HRUK & SUBWAY® healthy heart grants Christine Hunt, 67, lost two stone and Leon Wormley, Disability Development reduced her body fat by 11% during the project. Officer at Rotherham United Community She really enjoyed the keep fit sessions and has Sports Trust, says: had the chance to take part in sports, something “We are delighted that our programme has been that she has never done before. so effective and has really changed the lives To help the residents control their portion of the residents at Little Arches. The statistics sizes, Little Arches owner, Angela Briggs, bought show that disabled people simply aren’t getting smaller plates and provided them with lots of involved in sports because of the barriers fresh fruit and vegetables – a mixed, balanced they face. We have broken these barriers in and heart healthy diet. Rotherham by adapting our sessions to meet individuals’ needs and it’s great to see more disabled people getting involved and taking part in regular exercise to keep their hearts healthy.”

Happy hearts in Wales Adele Gilmour, from Scope Wales: Scope Wales was awarded a £9,500 grant for “Overall the project has been a real boost to our their “Calon Hapus” project – which means day- to-day work. It has enabled us to deliver a Happy Hearts in Welsh. In 2011 they delivered an programme of activities which, in the long term, inspiring, tailored programme to help disabled will support disabled people to make significant adults increase their activity levels, eat more changes to their lifestyles which should benefit healthily and care for their hearts. The 12-week their heart health.” rolling ‘Happy Hearts’ programme was held at Scope’s three centres and, thanks to the whole- Jane Coia, Cwmbran Centre Manager: hearted approach of the centre managers, over “There was some excellent learning and 100 disabled adults have benefitted - twice excellent results for us. We will continue to use as many as originally planned. And they’re all the heart health learning with service users and delighted with the results. not lose focus of healthy hearts.” The Sully Centre in Penarth, held a weekly ‘Fit Club’, with local physiotherapists, which led to body fat loss, reduced blood pressure, improved lung capacity and increased understanding of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Wheel Chair Keep Fit classes, Boccia, Kurling and swimming at the Cwmbran Stadium energised participants and heart rate monitors helped them look at the effect and benefits of exercise. Participants also cooked for a healthy heart with a dietician and the onsite tuck shop was completely revamped to offer healthier alternatives plus smaller portions.

Pictured with Chris Child and Faye Keatley from HRUK are Paralympians Kyron Duke and Rhys Jones who joined adults at the Cwmbran Centre For more information www.heartresearch.org.uk Healthy Hearts feature Stepping out for heart health With the better weather and memories of last year’s wonderful Olympic achievements still fresh, now’s the perfect time to bring out the champion in you and give your heart and body the best. Being physically active leads to a better quality of life; it reduces your risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers by up to 50%. Regular exercise will: • strengthen your heart muscle, arteries Let’s not kid ourselves. 40% of men and bones and 30% of women ‘self-report’ doing • shed that spare tyre and help you the recommended amount, yet when an out-run diabetes accelerometer was used to follow how physical activity is really done, only 6% men and 4% • maintain and promote healthy blood women were doing enough. It’s all about putting pressure and cholesterol levels your heart into whatever activity you do so it • lift your mood and boost your energy levels counts and benefits your heart and body. • help you breathe better and sleep like a baby Like it a bit vigorous? If you enjoy squash or something a bit more intensive, you can get the same benefits by doing 75 minutes spread across the week. But don’t rest on your laurels, push your fitness levels and make sure you don’t lounge around the rest of the time. Here are some activities and their intensities:

Activity Energy expended (Kcal/hour*) Light Strolling (2mph) 150 Hoovering 210

Moderate Golf – walking, pulling clubs 260 It’s reckoned that if an ‘exercise pill’ were Brisk walking (4mph) 300 available, the world’s health could be Cycling (11mph) 360 quite different. Vigorous Aerobic dancing 380 How much? The UK Chief Medical Officer Swimming (slow crawl) 480 recommends daily activity totalling at least Running (8.5mins/mile) 690 150 minutes each week for adults. This could mean 30 minutes on five days, although several *for a 60kg person; Department of Health 2004 chunks of 10 minutes or more also count. The exercise needs to be at ‘moderate intensity’: this means you’re breathing faster, your heart rate is increased and you feel warmer, even breaking into a sweat on a hot or humid day.

34 Healthy Hearts feature Don’t sit on it – even if you do the • Golden years - research shows that men recommended amount of exercise, spending a and women aged around 50 who did the large amount of time sitting can increase your recommended amount of weekly exercise risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other had lower markers for inflammation, which conditions. So beware of screen time – make sure plays a key role in the development of many your work and home environment help your heart. conditions, including heart disease. It’s never too early or too late to start Move more to find the ‘fitter’ you • Early steps – shed that post-pregnancy • Start small, maybe five minutes at a time and weight and regain your fitness by pushing the gradually lengthen the sessions. Push yourself buggy around or carrying your baby in to increase the pace and intensity. a specially designed sling, • Vary what you do so you don’t lose interest and • Toddlers– teach them that being active is fun involve more muscle groups. and help them acquire the key skills they’ll • Exercising with a friend or team may help you need to enjoy sports later on like throwing, stay on track. kicking a ball, skipping along or swimming. • Gadgets help. Music with a high tempo • Children – don’t rely on school PE, get out and beat can help you maximise your routine. about as a family, sign up for a new activity A pedometer or phone app can help you track together and get on your bikes. your fitness progress and distance covered. • Active adolescence – being active through • Focus on a challenge like the Yorkshire Three your teens and into adulthood can set the Peaks, a half or full marathon or even a 5k pace for life-long social and team building skills. or 10k fun-run if you’re a beginner and raise Team sports, five-a-side football, hockey money in the process to help more hearts. or netball, will increase fitness levels - and bring new friends.

Remember - back up your active lifestyle with good quality, heart healthy food rather than empty calories and don’t undo all that good work with smoking or drinking in excess. Eating fruit and vegetables, exercising and avoiding smoking could reduce your risk of a heart attack by 80%.

More info www.heartresearch.org.uk/hearthealth/exercise 35 Raised locally, spent locally More and more people are affected by heart disease every day. Every 20 mins someone has a heart attack and 2.7 million people are living with heart disease with loved ones helping them cope. We at Heart Research UK appreciate our supporters and that’s why we spend the money they raise in their local communities, hospitals and universities. There are many ways you can help. Leave a lasting legacy Donation in lieu of flowers One of our most important sources of income Many families now request donations to charities comes from people who have been kind enough to in lieu of funeral flowers which does not mean remember Heart Research UK in their will. Legacies that there will not be any flowers at the funeral, help us to fund pioneering medical research and just that floral tributes are limited to immediate people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. If family and others are invited to make a donation you would like more information about leaving a to charities, like Heart Research UK. gift in your will or competing a codicil form, please In Memory Funds contact Michael Clark on 0113 297 6203 or email In Memory Funds are a special way of [email protected] remembering a loved one. Often relatives and Make a donation friends want to continue giving over a number One of the simplest ways to support Heart of years and all donations are held in a separate Research UK is a one-off donation. We’ll respect fund, sometimes to be used for a specific that you may just want to give once - and will reason. For more information contact us on 0113 never give your details to others. You can make 234 7474 or email [email protected] a donation using a credit or debit card but if you for more details. prefer you can also contact us on 0113 234 7474. Regular giving Treasure Chest A regular gift is a great way to support us. It This is not the usual “give us your gold and silver” means we can plan for the future and just a small request. We’d actually like you to give us your old, amount each month really adds up. You can unwanted jewellery - broken beads, old watches, set up a Direct Debit easily and securely online odd earrings, costume jewellery, or whatever you on our website. Alternatively, you can arrange have in your jewellery boxes or at the back of a a standing order from your bank or building drawer. It’s a great way to recycle and a popular way society account via online banking or pick up a of raising funds for HRUK. We’ll send you envelopes form from your bank or building society. for you and your friends or you can post it to Heart Payroll giving is another option if your Research UK, Freepost RLYL-AGUE-SSBZ, Suite employer operates a scheme. It is the easiest, 12D, Joseph’s Well, Hanover Walk, Leeds, LS3 1AB. most cost effective way for you to regularly Beaverbrook’s the Jewellers will also accept them in support Heart Research UK. their shops across the country.

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