Love your town?

COLERAINE is to become the third town in Northern Ireland to wear its heart on its sleeve and sign up as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland Heart Town.

Coleraine Borough Council has joined forces with BHF Northern Ireland to help put the heart into the Coleraine area.

Heart Towns have been created as part of the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal which was launched in 2011 to mark the charity’s 50th anniversary, The project aims to bring communities together through local fundraising and volunteering while raising awareness of heart disease and offering residents a raft of support services including schools initiatives, workplace health and lifestyle information resources.

Marjory Burns, Director of BHF Northern Ireland says: “We are delighted that Coleraine Borough Council has decided to become a Heart Town.

“There are many activities and events happening throughout the year that local people can get involved in. We will be working with the community to raise awareness of heart disease and raise money for BHF Northern Ireland’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. Please get involved and pledge your support today.”

Coleraine is the third town to become a Heart Town in Northern Ireland and joins 46 other towns and cities across the UK which have signed up to bring hope to so many people.

Speaking at the Coleraine Heart Town launch, Mayor alderman Maurice Bradley said: “We’re incredibly proud to have become one of BHF Northern Ireland’s Heart Towns, which puts beating heart disease towards the very top of Coleraine’s health agenda.

“Becoming a Heart Town is a highly visible step towards bringing the entire community together to tackle heart disease in a combined effort, and we hope it will be a major milestone in improving the heart health of local people.”

Every person in the Coleraine area really can make a difference and help give hope to millions. You can do almost anything you like! Volunteer your time, buy BHF Northern Ireland’s great new products, donate much-needed funds or even get on your bike.