BRITISH Heart Foundation (BHF) shops in Wiltshire have raised £730,000 in the past year to help fund life-saving research into heart disease.

People who have donated items, purchased goods or given their time to volunteer have all contributed to the Wiltshire shops’ success.

This staggering amount has enabled the BHF to fund 67 defibrillators and two health care professionals in the local area. The BHF also currently funds a Heartstart scheme in Wiltshire, which teaches emergency life support and CPR training in local schools and businesses.

All BHF shops have an in-store community board with information on local events, nearby heart support groups and British Heart Foundation leaflets and information. These will soon also be available in all the charity’s Furniture & Electrical stores.

Area manager Margaret Richardson said: “We’re truly overwhelmed with the ongoing generosity of the local community in Wiltshire.

“We’re so grateful to all our supporters and want to thank every single person who has joined us in the fight against heart disease.

“People often don’t realise that the sofa or dress they donate to or buy from their local BHF shop actually raises vital funds and helps pay for anything from an echo machine in their local hospital to a community heart support group.

“We couldn’t fund this life-saving equipment or research in Wiltshire without the support of the local community and we hope they will continue to support BHF shops for many years to come.”

Around 545 people die from coronary heart disease in Wiltshire every year, but, with continued support from local people, the BHF can fight harder to reduce this figure. The condition is the UK’s single biggest killer, causing about 74,000 deaths in the UK every year.

  •  BHF shops offer a free collection service for donations, which can be booked over the phone by calling 0800 915 3000, or online for larger furniture and electrical items at bhf.org.uk/free.

BHF shops are always happy to welcome more volunteers. To find out more about volunteering, visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer. For more information on British Heart Foundation Shops or to find your local shop go to bhf.org.uk/shops.