Fairhill cycle for Baby Hearts Study

Chest Heart and Stroke Ballymena team of Valerie Saunders, Margaret McCroary and Maureen McCourt were busy in the Fairhill Shopping Centre on Saturday when team cyclists Victoria Murray and Joshua Kenny cycled for charity. INBT 04-929H

The Baby Hearts Study – which will be funded to the tune of £172,000 by Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke – is a major research study being carried out at the University of Ulster in partnership with the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

It aims to discover why some children are born with problems in the way their heart has formed and will investigate possible risk factors for developing congenital heart conditions and the

information from the study should help guide preventative strategies in the future.

Natalie Jackson, Fairhill Marketing & Commercial Manager said: “We are very honoured to support this important study and throughout the year will be supporting NI Chest Heart & Stroke in raising funds to support this important Baby Hearts Study.”

One advantage of carrying out the study in Northern Ireland is that all affected babies are

treated at one medical centre – Clark Clinic in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NI Chest Heart & Stroke, thanked the Fairhill Shopping Centre traders, who have given NICHS their support over the last year.

“Their generous support will help us fund this local research, which potentially has a worldwide impact. We’re proud to support it and we welcome the Fairhill Shopping Centre traders’ support,” he said.