A NEW fundraising group has been launched in Ellesmere Port to help in the fight against heart disease.

The group of volunteers have come together to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) lifesaving research.

The British Heart Foundation has a network of over 250 fundraising groups in all corners of the UK, helping to support its vital work. Together they raise more than £2 million every year.

Around 41,400 people are said to be living with heart and circulatory disease in Cheshire West.

The BHF is committed to funding half a billion pounds of new research over the next five years which will be central to discovering vital treatments for people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

The money raised from the new fundraising group will help fund that research and save more lives.

Stephanie Phillips, Ellesmere Port Fundraising Group Lead, said: “I joined the group because my mum has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and I want to raise awareness of heart disease as it is still very misunderstood.

"We hope to raise as much money as we possibly can to support more research into heart and circulatory disease by putting on lots of fundraising events in the next year. I think this new fundraising group is going to be brilliant for the Ellesmere Port area and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of taking up a volunteering opportunity to get in touch and find out more about our group!”

The BHF’s fundraising groups form a vital network of volunteers across the country. From organising events and collections, to speaking at local clubs and supporting schools and businesses to fundraise for us, these groups are hugely important in helping the charity raise money.

Being part of a group is a way to meet new people, make great friends and get involved in your local community, all whilst helping to fund pioneering research into better understanding and treating cardiovascular disease.

For more information about the Ellesmere Port BHF Fundraising Group, upcoming events and how to get involved contact Leah Goodhind- Fundraising Manager in Cheshire for the BHF on 07500 057015 or email goodhindl@bhf.org.uk.