WALES’ HEART HEROES WANTED!
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will host its fifth national Heart Hero Awards ceremony this year. Excitingly, 2022 will mark a return to a live event after two years of being held online due to the Covid pandemic.
Area fundraising manager for BHF Cymru, Nikki James says: “Our virtual event last year – hosted by Vernon Kay – was a fantastic and emotional night which celebrated winners and nominees from different walks of life and from every part of the UK. They ranged from remarkable fundraisers and heroic individuals who stepped up to save the life of a stranger using CPR.
“We know there are many more unsung Heart Heroes out there and we want to shine a light on their selfless achievements and thank them. This event raises awareness of the continued need for funding for the pioneering research that is turning science fiction into reality and providing hope for more than 7 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory conditions.”
BHF Cymru is calling on the people of Wales to nominate people in their community for a Heart Hero Award.
A Heart Hero can be anyone from a healthcare professional doing exceptional work, to a young person living with heart disease that has shown incredible courage and determination, or an inspiring fundraiser who has found creative ways to help fund BHF research.
Those shortlisted will be invited to an awards ceremony in London on Thursday December 1st when the winners will be announced.
There are eight categories for nomination including
- Young Heart Hero celebrates all young BHF fundraisers, advocates, and heart patients aged 18 and under.
- CPR Hero is someone who has shown incredible courage and bravery to step in and attempt to save a person’s life from cardiac arrest.
- Healthcare Hero award recognises a healthcare professional who help people with heart and circulatory diseases.
- and Innovative Fundraiser which showcases those who raise funds and awareness for the BHF’s life saving research.
Aberystwyth University student Caitlin Lory, 20, was named a BHF CPR Hero in 2021 after she saved her 24-year-old brother Matthew’s life when he suffered a cardiac arrest at home in Pontypridd.
“Winning the award meant so much to me as it brought something positive and uplifting out of a scary and unimaginable situation,” she says, “I hope it encourages other people to learn CPR as it is so easy but so important and could save a loved one’s life.”
To find out more about the categories or to make a nomination www.bhf.org.uk/heartheroes
Entries close on 31st May 2022 at 5pm (except for CPR Hero and Young Hero which are open all year round).