Making huge strides fighting heart disease

Sep 17 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

YOU MAY not miss last season’s shoes but the British Heart Foundation (BHF) shops in Monklands will.

Women love to hoard their shoes and regularly add to their collection but how many pairs do they actually wear?

According to a recent survey, the average woman owns 44 pairs of shoes. Also, almost two thirds of women own an average of 10 pairs of shoes they have never actually worn or have only put on once or twice.

With millions of willing customers making over 60,000 purchases a day, the BHF’s 550 shops are in constant need for quality stock to replenish their shelves.

Your killer heels could stamp out Scotland’s biggest killer - heart disease. But your local BHF shop needs more than just heels.

The Charity is calling all fashionistas to clear out their wardrobes to make way for autumn fashion and donate their unwanted items to their local BHF Shop.

The BHF is urgently seeking a range of donated items from good quality shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories to toys, bric-a-brac, DVDs, books and music.

Diane Locke, Deputy Chief Executive at British Heart Foundation Shops said: “Early autumn is one of our busiest times, when our customers are looking to buy a range of goods.

“By rummaging through your wardrobes for good quality fashion items, books, music and bric-a-brac to donate, you can make a real difference in helping us fight heart disease.

“These items really will make a huge difference to heart patients and their families across Scotland. Please help us to beat heart disease.”

The money raised from donations is vital in helping the BHF in its fight against heart disease. The following examples highlight what bags of donated goods can help fund;

lOne bag funds 100 Heart Information Series booklets to help patients and their family understand their illness and how to deal with it on a day to day basis.

lTwo bags fund one ultrasound scan to detect heart problems in an unborn baby.

lFour bags fund a realistic adult mannequin used to train people in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which buys time and more than doubles the chances of survival for someone following a cardiac arrest.

lSeven bags help fund a young heart scientist for a whole day, which could lead to a cure for heart disease, or improvements in treatment.

With over 550 BHF Shops across the UK – including 57 in Scotland – and 265 clothing banks, donating unwanted items couldn’t be easier.

To locate your nearest shop, please call 0844 4125000 or visit www.bhf.org.uk/shops.