Celebrating British Heart Foundation Day

Date published: 05 March 2010

When a member of Tameside Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation group suggested to physiotherapists Carolyn Barratt and Barbara Groves, that it would be a good idea to celebrate “Wear red for the British Heart Foundation day” as it would be a fun way to help to raise money for charity, the cardiac rehab team decided it was an excellent idea.

Lorraine Cooper, who has had successful heart bypass surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital and is currently attending the cardiac rehabilitation programme at her local hospital, had arranged to do some fundraising at the Norfolk Arms hotel in Glossop where she works and thought that it would a good idea to involve the cardiac rehabilitation class. She said: “I decided to get involved with the BHF because they were the first people that I turned to when I was diagnosed. They sent me lots of literature which really helped me.”

Barbara said: “The cardiac-rehab group supports people following a heart attack or heart surgery to help people increase their functional capacity, through a series of exercise classes. This helps to increase patient’s confidence as well as support them in getting back to work, taking part in sports and activities they want to undertake.”

Barbara and Carolyn decided that celebrating the ‘wear red’ day would be a great way of increasing awareness of the fantastic work that the British Heart Foundation do in raising much needed money and supporting the work that the foundation does for people with heart disease and their families. A small collection was held during the three cardiac rehabilitation classes which ran on Friday 26 February and this raised a total of £32.05 raised from the classes. Carolyn added: "I feel it is important to support the work of the British Heart Foundation as they provide such an important role in providing support and information to both patients and their families as they come to terms with living with a heart condition."

Lorraine said: “I have been attending the group since December 2009. I have such a laugh at the group, and you learn that you are not alone. The most important thing about the group is that you can talk to other people who are in a similar position and understand what you are going through. I was going through a bad patch, but the group has really helped, and I would recommend it to anybody, not just for the exercise, but the social side and support too. “

For more information about the Cardiac Rehab service please contact Carolyn Barratt 0161 331 6313 or Janine Timperley on 0161 331-6625. Please note that all users must be referred by a GP or hospital doctor.