Wessex Heartbeat CEO John Munro with some of the hearts which have already been dedicated to loved ones at Heartbeat House
The Wessex Heartbeat charity is urging people to give a ‘heartfelt’ Christmas gift which could save a person’s life.
Since it began 25 years ago, Wessex Heartbeat has raised almost £16m for the Wessex cardiac unit at Southampton General Hospital, funding research, equipment and projects including the Young Adult Cardiac Centre and a £1 million refurbishment of the children’s ward.
The charity’s business manager Ken Wilde, said: “Whether you are stuck for something to buy the person who has everything, or want to give a gift which has real meaning, we can help.
“We would love to hear from people interesting in sponsoring a room at Heartbeat House, the home away from home we run for families whose loved ones are being treated at the cardiac centre.
“Or why not show your love for someone by buying them a heart in our Have a Heart campaign?
“You can even donate the price of another pair of unwanted socks! – every penny goes towards life-saving equipment and research at the cardiac unit.”
Heartbeat House is situated opposite Southampton General Hospital and for the past 21 years has offered accommodation to the families of children and adults being treated at the cardiac centre, for as long as they need it.
Ken added: “In sponsoring a room you provide people with somewhere to stay while their loved one is treated, enabling them to remain close by, while they need them most.”
The charity’s Have a Heart campaign is new for 2018 and invites people to buy hearts which are displayed on the Heartbeat House donor wall.
Ken said: “£100 buys a red love heart inscribed with a message of your choice, while £500 buys a golden heart.
“These hearts are a wonderful way to show your love for someone, or for a person or organisation to show their support for the charity and will be seen by everyone who stays at the house while their loved ones undergo treatment.”
For information on how to support Wessex Heartbeat, on sponsoring a room at Heartbeat House or the Have a Heart campaign, please contact: 023 8070 6095 or visit: www.heartbeat.co.uk
Picture captions: Wessex Heartbeat CEO John Munro with hearts which can be purchased to help the charity’s 2018 Have a Heart campaign.
Media information from Debbie Granville at Deep South Media on: 07884 657782 or email: debbiegranville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
