Charity walk to help heart research

The Patchwork Fund-raising Group, based in Dinnington, is organising the first Rother Valley Walk to raise money for The Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.

The event, which will take place on Saturday, September 24, at 10am, is in aid of the British Heart Foundation’s Mending Broken Hearts appeal, which aims to plough much-needed funding into trail-blazing heart surgery.

All proceeds will go towards research into the zebrafish, a little-known species which can repair its own heart.

Everyone is welcome to the three-mile walk, including dogs on leads, which will begin at the park’s courtyard.

Among those who have already signed up is Patchwork Group member Joanne Ward (36) who suffered a heart attack when she was 30, four days after giving birth to her second child.

Joanne, of Wales Road, Kiveton Park, survived but her heart was left severely damaged.

After years of treatment, she now has taken part in a TV advert and a sponsored zumbathon for the BHF.

She said: “After a heart attack you live life on a knife edge. Now that I know the zebrafish can heal its own heart I know there is hope for hearts like mine, too.

“Please support our local fund-raising group and help us raise funds for the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal by signing up for this walk today.”

To register for the Rother Valley Walk, or to find out how you can support the work of the BHF Patchwork Fundraising group, call June Thomas on 01909 518062 or email [email protected].