Cynon Valley AM visits local British Heart Foundation shop

Vikki Howells AM visited British Heart Foundation Cymru’s Aberdare shop last week to find out more about the charity’s life saving research and its preparations for Christmas.

The AM for Cynon Valley, met staff and volunteers and learned how the local community support the heart charity. She also found out about the work that goes into generating vital donations, sorting and displaying stock and making sales which all helps fund cardiovascular research to help improve people’s lives.

Last year, BHF Cymru’s 35 shops raised more than £7.4 million for research work into the prevention, diagnosis and support for people living with heart and circulatory disease.

The charity estimates that just over 8000 people in the Cynon Valley constituency are living with heart and circulatory disease.

Thanks to donations and sales in its Aberdare shop and across the country, the BHF is able to fund almost £5m worth of life saving research in Wales to support the fight against heart and circulatory diseases.

Vikki Howells AM said:-

“I really enjoyed meeting staff and volunteers at the BHF store in Aberdare today.

“BHF’s lifesaving research can only be done thanks to staff and volunteers who all deserve a huge thanks for their hard work to raise funds.”

“Each item sold in the store will help the BHF fund life-saving heart research, so I would encourage anyone who has not yet visited the Aberdare shop to call in and see what great bargains are on offer.”

Each month 720 people in Wales will lose their lives to cardiovascular disease. The money BHF Cymru raises in its shops across the country, is a crucial part of how it funds life-saving medical research.

Emma Henwood, BHF Cymru’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, said:-

“Every donation made, every hour volunteered and every person who supports BHF makes a huge difference.

“We have a great shop here in Aberdare with a wide choice of clothes and gifts, and we’re always looking for people to donate more items. “Donating couldn’t be easier with our free collections service and it’s a great way to cut down on waste.”

To volunteer at a shop, make a donation or find out more about the BHF’s research, visit www.bhf.org.uk