CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has described the British Heart Foundation’s shop in North Berwick as “crucial to saving lives in the county” and encouraged more local residents to volunteer.
Mr Hoy visited the shop last week to hear from BHF Scotland staff and volunteers about their work and how they support those affected by heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland.
He saw first-hand how the shop operates, taking in donations, preparing stock and developing eye-catching window displays, which drive sales for the charity.
Heart and circulatory diseases cause nearly 50 deaths a day in Scotland – and around 700,000 people in Scotland are affected by them.
The BHF is the largest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland, currently funding around £60m of research in Scotland - research that is entirely funded by public donations.
Over the past 60 years, the BHF has been instrumental in countless lifesaving discoveries. Its research has contributed to the first UK heart transplant, the development of pacemakers, the use of clot busting drugs to treat heart attacks, and the rollout of genetic testing for inherited heart conditions.
In the 1960s, the decade the BHF was founded, more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Now thanks in part to research the BHF has helped fund, at least 7 out of 10 survive.
Mr Hoy was joined by BHF Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Jonathan Roden, and the North Berwick store’s Assistant Manager, Patricia Pentice.
Commenting on the visit, Mr Hoy said: “I had a very informative discussion with Patricia and Jonathan about the impact that the British Heart Foundation has on people’s lives throughout Scotland.
“I also learned more about the positive experience of volunteering. As well as helping good causes like the BHF, it is a great opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills and help the environment by giving unwanted items a new lease of life.
“I’d like to thank our local volunteers for all they do supporting heart and circulatory disease research in our community and would encourage others to think about volunteering too.”
BHF Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Jonathan Roden, said: “It was great to catch up with Craig in our North Berwick shop to talk about our work and the importance of our fantastic supporters.
“It goes without saying that volunteers are the lifeblood of our shops. Every hour donated makes a difference. It helps us raise money to power life saving science to save and improve lives.
“Across Scotland around 700,000 people are living with heart and circulatory diseases. Your gift of time can help us, help them. For more than 60 years, your support has helped the BHF turn research that once seemed like 'science fiction' into reality and we need your help now more than ever.”
