Save a life by backing the Heart of Durham Appeal (From Durham Times)

Save a life by backing the Heart of Durham Appeal

1:11pm Friday 29th January 2010

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THE Durham Times today joins forces with the British Heart Foundation to launch the Heart of Durham Appeal, to buy a new heart scanner to help save lives in our area.

The Heart of Durham Appeal aims to raise £47,923 to buy a 2D echocardiogram machine for University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

The new scanner, which would be the hospital’s fourth, would be capable of performing hundreds of heart scans every month and could cutting waiting times from four-and-a-half weeks to three weeks.

It would allow care to be expanded into communities across north Durham, boosting early diagnosis of heart problems and potentially saving lives – perhaps of a loved one close to you.

The British Heart Foundation first unveiled its campaign in December, but the backing of the Durham Times moves the appeal up a gear.

Editor Malcolm Warne said: “I am delighted to put the full weight of the Durham Times behind the appeal. As a newspaper, we pride ourselves in being at the heart of the city’s affairs so it is only natural we should support the Heart of Durham Appeal.

“We hope readers will do whatever they can to assist in making the appeal a success.”

The Durham Times is urging readers and residents to support the Heart of Durham Appeal in whatever way they can – by making a donation, organising fundraising events or taking part in sponsored activities.

Hospital senior cardiologist Michael Cave, who is leading the appeal, said: “It’s terrific to have the backing of the Durham Times for the Heart of Durham Appeal. It’s great news “When you’ve got an appeal like this, people need to know about it.

“The readers of the Durham Times will now know about the Heart of Durham Appeal.

“In my experience, people are willing to give to this type of appeal. People in Durham don’t need their arms twisted.

But they have to know it’s there.”

Fiona Turner, BHF’s Heart of Durham Appeal manager, said: “People are keen to support this type of appeal.

“But with the Durham Times’ support, we hope to reach our target a lot quicker, so patients will benefit sooner.

“We’ve had an amazing response so far.

All the letters and comments we’ve received have been very positive.

“Many have been from patients or people who have had friends or relatives receive treatment.

“Heart disease is something that touches so many people’s lives.”

The North-East is a blackspot for heart disease, with higher incidents and deaths than many other parts of the country.

The hospital has three heart scanners but one is outdated and new equipment is needed.

The appeal has already won the backing of Coun Dennis Southwell, the Mayor of Durham, who made a personal donation and urged residents to consider supporting it.

Durham County Council chairman Brian Myers has pledged £500 from his chairman’s charity fund.

The appeal’s first donation came from grandfather Charlie Hall, from Crook, who asked friends and relatives to donate in lieu of presents for his 80th birthday.

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