What we do

Sponsor hope and help mend broken hearts

Annual Review 2011

Making it happenfundraising

We are all about people. We work hard every day to support the people who need us most and, in turn, we rely on the support of the general public.

We ask the people we work with what they want and need, and how they like to work with us.

Then we do our very best to ensure those needs are met. Our free membership service
Heart Matters is just one example of how we work to provide what people tell us they need.

But none of our work would be possible without the generosity of thousands of supporters across the UK. This comes in many forms and there's a way for you to get involved that will suit you, including:

  • Donating - have a look at the many different ways you can donate and how tax effective it can be
  • Events - we run hundreds of fun fundraising events across the UK every year, and they're a great way to get fit
  • Shopping - either online or at our national network of BHF Shops
  • Corporate partnerships - there are a whole range of ways to get involved at work
  • Pledging a legacy - almost half of our income comes from people remembering us in their wills.     

How we made a difference in 2009/10

National Heart Month

This was the chance to really turn the spotlight on heart disease and motivate the country to get involved and get healthy. We wanted people to:

  • be more aware of heart disease and the support we offer
  • look after their heart health
  • support our work through our Red for Heart campaign

Some remarkable heart patients and their families starred in our TV, radio and newspaper advertising campaign. The campaign extended to BHF Shops and social media sites and we sent out over five million leaflets.

We encouraged people to order our free Heart Information Pack, which was full of health advice. We promoted Heart Matters, a free support service. We also launched a new health code: Be active, Eat healthily, Avoid smoking, Take the lifestyle check. A simple way to BEAT heart disease!

And of course we asked people to raise funds to support our vital work.

Thousands of people picked up the phone to request a Heart Information Pack. We hope this number will continue to grow, so that more people can access the range of support we offer, including our Heart HelpLine and our Heart Matters service.

Red for Heart campaign

On 1 February people at 30 sites around the country blinked and looked twice. The London Eye, York Minster, Nottingham Castle, all lit red? It was the spectacular start of our ‘Red for Heart’ campaign.

We launched our first annual Red for Heart photography competition. And from 12 January until Valentine’s Day, people could write a love note in the window of their local BHF Shop.

  • Argos donated a very healthy £25,000 through sales of selected fitness products.
  • Lidl wholeheartedly supported the campaign by donating over £37,000.
  • Colgate Palmolive donated 10p for each Oral Healthcare product sold in Boots as part of a ‘3 for 2’ offer, raising a total of £100,000.
  • New Covent Garden Food Co. created a ‘Heart Warming’ Soup of the Month, raising a tasty £10,000.

Thousands of people took part in National Wear Red Day on Friday 26 February. The theme was ‘Anything goes as long as it’s red’.

BHF Heart Pins were available through our online shop and on the high street at BHF Shops, Argos, Homebase, Fitness First and Lloyds TSB, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches.

Celebrities came out in force to support us. They included Kate Nash, McFly, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jacqueline Wilson, Sir Roger Moore and Sir Alex Ferguson.

How you can help

Were you inspired by National Heart Month? Or by reading this? Don’t leave it there! Spread the word about the BHF and the support we offer. Find out about our new Hand on Heart volunteering campaign.

And how we can help you

Tell your family, friends and colleagues to order a Heart Information Pack and join our Heart Matters service. You can also use our online map to find local BHF services.