A TEAM of dedicated fundraisers in Swindon are celebrating raising an incredible £500,000 for the British Heart Foundation to help fund life saving heart research.

Swindon BHF Branch was set up in 1987 to help accelerate the BHF’s fight against heart disease.

Since starting up, the group of volunteers have taken part in a range of exciting activities including holding fundraising events in schools, arranging collections whilst raising awareness of the charity in their local community.

Keith Smith, a member of the group, said: “We’ve been supporting the British Heart Foundation for 29 years and we’ve really enjoyed raising money for the charity.

"We are delighted to have raised half a million pounds in the fight for every heartbeat to fund vital research.”

There are currently over 200 fundraising groups across the UK representing the BHF in their local communities. From running fundraising events to supporting schools and local businesses to organising collections, it’s a great way to get involved and raise funds for heart research.

Every pound raised by BHF fundraising groups helps fund ground-breaking discoveries and identify new treatments that could help save more people from the devastating effects of heart disease.

Alison Adams, of the BHF, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Swindon BHF Branch for supporting us over the past 29 years. Their incredible energy and enthusiasm is helping us win the fight against heart disease, and we would like to say a huge thank to them for raising this phenomenal amount.

“There are around seven million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory disease and thanks to the group we’ll be able to fund even more research into these conditions.”

Why not join or start your own fundraising group in your community for a fun and easy way to meet new people and join the fight against heart disease.

To find out more about BHF fundraising groups, please visit www.bhf.org.uk/localfundraising