Camberley is the First Heart Town in Surrey

Camberley has become the first town in Surrey to wear its heart on its sleeve and sign up as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Town.

Surrey Heath Borough Council has teamed up with the BHF to help put the heart into Camberley as part of the charity's Mending Broken Hearts Appeal which launched to mark its 50th anniversary earlier this year.

The official launch takes place in The Mall, Camberley this Saturday 17th September with events starting at 12.00 noon - there will be activities including face painting, blood pressure testing and a mini catwalk show!

Heart Towns are a brand new initiative from the nation's heart charity that brings communities together through local fundraising and volunteering as well as raising awareness of heart disease and offering residents a raft of support services including, schools initiatives, workplace health and lifestyle information resources.

Heather Hunt, BHF Volunteer Fundraising Manager in Camberley says:

"We are delighted that Surrey Heath Borough Council has decided to make Camberley a Heart Town. There are many activities and events happening throughout the year that local people can get involved in.  For example, we should like to organise a heart-shaped walk and a wide range of fun activities which enable everyone to get involved. We will be working with the Camberley community to raise awareness of heart disease and raise money for the BHF's Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. Please get involved and pledge your support today."  

The BHF is aiming for as many towns and cities across the UK to sign up and become a Heart Town, to help the growing issue of heart and circulatory disease, the UK's biggest killer. 

Moira Gibson Leader of the Council explains why Camberley has joined this initiative: "Heart disease is something that touches the lives of many families in Camberley and the surrounding villages and the Council wants to do all it can to support them.  

"We're very much looking forward to becoming a Heart Town and helping the British Heart Foundation to raise the profile of their vital work."

The BHF are looking to communities like Camberley to be a part of the biggest fundraising appeal ever launched in the BHF's history, the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.  The goal is simple: to fund the research that could begin to 'mend broken hearts' in as little as 10 years and save and improve the lives of millions within decades.

There is no cure for a broken heart. This ground-breaking research can change that and help researchers learn how to teach the heart to 'heal itself'. In order to do this the charity needs to spend £50 million on research that will enable damaged hearts to be repaired. The hope is that if this money is raised it could be funding trials with heart failure patients in as little as five years. That's why Camberley's support is so important. 

Every person in Camberley really can make a difference and help give hope to millions. You can do almost anything you like! Volunteer your time, buy the BHF's great new products, donate much-needed funds or even get on your bike. Whoever you are, there's a way for you to get involved and give hope. 

For more information visit: www.bhf.org.uk/hearttowns