CAMPAIGNERS working to raise &pound107,000 for a life-saving piece of equipment hope a charity ball and a new volunteering post will help boost funds.
Launched in March this year, the British Heart Foundation’s Heart of Derby appeal has already raised &pound25,000 towards a new heart scanner for the Royal Derby Hospital. The echocardiograph machine, which uses 3D images to help doctors make accurate diagnoses, would make a big difference to the 50,000 heart patients in Derbyshire. And appeal organisers hope a glamorous ball at Morley Hayes Golf Club on September 25 will bring them &pound5,000 closer to their goal. Susan Hamilton has been appointed as Derbyshire’s first British Heart Foundation ambassador and has been helping to promote the event. The 57-year-old, who moved to Belper Lane End from London last year, said she hopes to raise awareness of the appeal by working with community groups. She said: “I will be working to create a presence for the charity as well as raising awareness about heart disease. It’s an illness which affects people of all ages, gender and ethnicity but a lot of people still see it as something which only affects overweight, middle-aged men.
“I want to get out and talk to as many groups as possible, raise awareness of the Heart of Derby appeal and hopefully encourage people to hold their own fund-raising events to help us reach our target.”