Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and NHS Rotherham has teamed up with the BHF to help put the heart into Rotherham as part of the charity's Mending Broken Hearts Appeal which launched last year to mark the charity's 50th anniversary.

Heart Towns are a new and exciting scheme from the nation's heart charity that brings entire communities together through local fundraising and volunteering to help beat heart disease.

As well as raising awareness of heart disease in Rotherham, the BHF will be offering residents a raft of support services including schools initiatives, workplace health and health and lifestyle information resources.

June Thomas, Lead Volunteer for the BHF in Rotherham, said: "It's a shocking fact that heart and

That's people in the Rotherham community, your family your neighbours and your friends. Our Heart Town communities will learn how to look after their hearts with our practical steps on how to improve lifestyle and heart health. We are delighted that Rotherham has become a Heart Town.

We hope local people will support us through local volunteering and fundraising activities to raise money for the BHF's Mending Broken Hearts Appeal."

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Cabinet Member for Heath and Wellbeing, Councillor Ken Wyatt, commented: " Heart Town is a fantastic boost for Rotherham.

"With it being a five year project, it show's we're genuinely committed to making the borough a healthier, and happier, place to live.  We're incredibly proud to be joining this major initiative which has already achieved so much in other 'Heart Towns' around the country.

"Unfortunately, heart disease in Rotherham remains an important, and deadly, issue. Being part of Heart Town gives us another tool to fight against this killer and help to turn around lives.

"The Heart Town project brings awareness of healthy heart issues to local residents and the steps they can take to maintaining their health as well as raising funds for the campaign.

"We very much look forward to working with The British Heart Foundation on Heart Town and bringing the many benefits to the people of Rotherham."

Dr John Radford, Director of Public Health at NHS Rotherham, added: "We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative which will help to make people more aware of the dangers of poor heart health and to educate them to begin to take better care of their heart and live a healthier life.

"Heart disease kills around 117,000 each year in the UK and yet in many cases it can be prevented simply by taking better care of ourselves.  Simple changes to our lifestyles such as gentle exercise and healthier eating can make all the difference.

"However, the single most effective way to prevent against heart disease is to stop smoking."

For 50 years the BHF has helped the people of the UK look after their hearts, and fight heart disease.

The Heart Town initiative is part of the biggest ever fundraising appeal ever launched in the BHF's history, the Mending Broken Heart Appeal. The goal is simple: to fund the research that could begin to "mend broken hearts" in as little as 10 years. That's why Rotherham's support is so vital.

Every person in Rotherham really can make a difference and help give hope to millions. People can do almost anything they like.  Whoever you are, whether you join the local fundraising branch or organise your own fundraising activity, there's a way for you to get involved and give hope.

Contact June Thomas on 01909 518062 for more information.

-end-