The British Heart Foundation are seeking new volunteers from the Harrogate area to help in the fight against heart disease. By joining the local fundraising group you can help raise money for lifesaving heart research.

Around 20,700 people across Harrogate are fighting a daily battle with heart and circulatory disease. Each year these devastating conditions claim the lives of more than 458 people in Harrogate alone.

British Heart Foundation's fundraising group represents the charity in the local community. The group are involved in running activities such as fundraising events, supporting schools and local businesses and organising collections.

Any time that you can give will be invaluable, because every pound raised from our fundraising groups will help fund vital research and identify new treatments that could help save lives.

Jane Mooney, British Heart Foundation's Fundraising Manager for North Yorkshire, said: “Heart disease is heartless. Too many lives are lost in North Yorkshire each year, and we’re determined to do everything we can to protect more families from this devastation.

By signing up to the Harrogate fundraising group you can help us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heart disease. Together we can save more lives. It’s also a fantastic way to meet new people and make a real difference in your community!”

BHF research has helped halve death rates from heart and circulatory disease over the past 50 years, but there is still a long way to go. Through the public’s generosity the BHF will fund half a billion pounds of new research over the next five years.

There are a number of ways you can get involved with the charity including leading the fundraising group or becoming a group member. If you have a flair for the dramatic you may be able to help the charity by speaking at schools and youth groups. Or if you're into vintage and fancy sorting through the many treasures donated to the British Heart Foundation shops there are shop roles available throughout the district.