People in Edinburgh who have successfully given up smoking in the last couple of years are being encouraged by a campaigning health charity to share their experiences about how they managed to quit.
As part of the charity’s preparations for No Smoking Day which takes place on 13 March, ASH Scotland is urging Edinburgh residents to share details of their journeys to live a tobacco-free life by highlighting the motivating factors which prompted their quit smoking attempts and if they gave up through sheer willpower and personal determination or the types of support they found to be most useful.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Ahead of No Smoking Day on 13 March, we would love to hear from people in Edinburgh about their successful experiences in the last couple of years or so of giving up smoking for good.
“We look forward to discovering everyone’s inspirational stories, which could encourage others to quit smoking for the first time or try again to live a life free from tobacco and enjoy a healthier future with opportunities to spend their money in other ways.”
ASH Scotland is tackling tobacco head-on by campaigning to reduce the harms caused by smoking. For more information, follow the health charity’s social media channels on Instagram and Facebook.
Forty years ago – on 25th Jan 1984 – Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government attacked trade union rights at GCHQ(writes TUC General Secretary PAUL NOWAK).
Trade union members were told to resign their membership or be sacked.
But after a long and heroic campaign marked by the fortitude of the workers and their families, and the solidarity of the whole movement, they were reinstated when an incoming Labour government repealed the ban.
The spirit and fight shown at GCHQ in Cheltenham has never been more badly needed.
Today, the Tories are once again hellbent on attacking the right to strike – a fundamental British liberty.
Their draconian Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is even more extreme than Thatcher’s attack in 1984.
This time over five million workers face losing their right to strike – including PCS members in border security.
It would place onerous restrictions on public sector and rail unions and make taking effective industrial action far harder.
Last month the TUC called its first Special Congress in 40 years to discuss how we resist these spiteful new laws.
The message from the trade union movement was unanimous, resounding and clear – we will defend the right to strike at all costs. And we will not rest until this pernicious legislation is repealed from the statute books.
Because let’s be clear: if the Tories get their way this is just the start. We should expect further attacks on the rights of workers and trade unions in other sectors not yet affected.
The government wants to use this heinous new bill as a Trojan horse for other anti-union measures, including an attempted clamp-down on picketing.
It is an ideological assault on workers’ and trade unions’ rights and a brazen attempt to silence workers’ voices and reduce their power.
The imposition of minimum service levels means that when workers lawfully vote to take strike action, they could be told to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.
Our public services are crying out for investment to address the recruitment and retention crisis they face. But, instead, the Conservatives are seeking to poison industrial relations, with the result that services deteriorate even more.
It is all driven by an unelected and out-of-touch prime minister who has lost the confidence of the British people. We won’t let this happen.
We will use every lever at our disposable to defeat these unworkable – and almost certainly illegal – new laws. We will name and shame any employer or public body that uses this legislation. We will challenge every work notice issued by employers.
And the full force of the whole union movement will stand behind any worker disciplined or sacked for exercising their right to strike.
Please join me – and trade union members from across the country – on Saturday the 27th of January 2024 as we march and rally in Cheltenham to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the GCHQ trade union ban.
Let’s channel the spirit of those brave GCHQ workers and show our collective defiance against the Tories’ attack on the right to strike.
Parents facing separation urged to avoid courtroom conflict as Family Mediation Week kicks off in Scotland
Parents living in Scotland who are considering separation or divorce in 2024 are being urged to seek an alternative to a courtroom confrontation to settle parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week, 22 – 26 January.
January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of parents deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.
Stuart Valentine, Chief Executive of Relationships Scotland said: “Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.
“Many parents emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period.
“Here in Scotland we find parents in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions: Who lives where? Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them? How will we sort money? What about debts and pensions? And even the family dog?
“Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.
“Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work these things out, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”
The Scottish Government fund Relationships Scotland to provide family mediation at low cost where children are involved, and Legal Aid may also be available.
Anyone wanting to know more about the benefits of family mediation can visit:
Virgin Money and the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, have teamed up to help millions of people facing digital exclusion across the nation by introducing the National Databank programme into Virgin Money’s full network of stores.
Latest data1 compiled by Good Things Foundation shows that although 77% of people in the UK believe having internet access is an essential need, 1 in 14 households have no home internet access at all, more than 2.5 million households struggle to afford broadband and 10.2 million people lack the most basic digital skills to use the internet.
Aiming to help reduce the digital divide, Virgin Money – the first and only bank in the UK to take part in the programme – has worked with Good Things Foundation to introduce the National Databank2 into its 91 UK stores.
The National Databank works like a foodbank, but provides free mobile data, texts and calls for people in need. Through the programme, which was founded by Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2, digitally excluded people (anyone that doesn’t have regular access to the internet) can visit their nearest Virgin Money store and pick up an O2 sim card loaded with 20GB of free data – enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month. The free data allowance renews every month for six months.
Good Things Foundation has also provided specialist training to the bank’s customer service colleagues to help them better identify and support individuals impacted by digital exclusion and signpost them to a nearby National Databank, whether it is a Virgin Money store or not. In addition, through a range of initiatives colleagues across the bank will help to raise awareness and secure donations to Good Thing Foundation’s National Device Bank programme, which works alongside the National Databank to provide free smart devices to people who are unable to afford them.
Finally, to help bridge the digital skills gap, Virgin Money and Good Things Foundation will work with Learn My Way, an online digital skills platform, to provide training to anyone looking for help to improve their knowledge of using the internet. The sessions, which can take place both in store and online, will cover various topics, including advice on how to stay safe when browsing and information on how to access essential online services.
James Peirson, General Counsel & Purpose Officer at Virgin Money, said: “Digital exclusion is a real issue in the UK and one that needs prioritising.
“For many low or no-income households, paying for broadband is often seen as a luxury that they can’t afford, but in reality, it is an essential purchase – especially in this digital age. That’s why we are proud to support the vital work of Good Things Foundation by making the National Databank programme easier for people in need to access across the UK.
“We are also keen to encourage other organisations that are in a position to help to join the initiative. Whether that’s by becoming a National Databank themselves or donating their old smart devices that would otherwise go to waste.
“Each small gesture goes towards making a huge difference, and by working together we can try put an end to the digital divide.”
Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO, Good Things Foundation, said:“We’re delighted to help tackle digital exclusion by extending our partnership with Virgin Money to make the National Databank available to its full network of 91 stores.
“There are still 2 million households that struggle to afford internet access in the UK today, and 10 million adults lack the most basic digital skills. We need to act now.
“We urge organisations to apply to become a National Databank and become part of our National Digital Inclusion Network, helping local communities access data, devices and digital skills through the National Databank, the National Device Banks, and the Digital Skills platform Learn My Way.
“By the end of 2025, our ambition is to engage 1 million people helping them benefit from the digital world and support 5,000 Digital Inclusion Hubs across the UK. Together we can fix the digital divide.”
To find out more about Good Things Foundation or to locate the nearest community organisation taking part in the National Databank programme, visit: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/databank/.
The groundswell of opinion in favour of the campaign for protection of title for electricians has continued into 2024 with a New Year declaration of support from another four prominent members of the Scottish Parliament.
Former Business and Trade Minister Ivan McKee and ex-Transport Minister Kevin Stewart have both shown their backing for regulation of the industry by signing up to the Wall of Support being spearheaded by SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade body.
The duo have been joined by Conservative MSPs Craig Hoy and Oliver Mundell as the long-running campaign continues to attract cross-party support from all political factions.
Mr McKee, SNP MSP for Glasgow Provan, said: “Our future heating and energy demands will be met by technology such as solar panels, battery storage and electric heating, which means that electricians will play an ever-increasing role in all our lives.
“Regulation would provide the reassurance that someone calling themself an electrician was qualified to undertake such work and would also enhance the profession’s status and reputation. That’s why I am backing SELECT’s campaign to regulate electricians by introducing protection of title for the profession of electrician.”
Mr Stewart, who is the SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, said: “Being an electrician is a safety critical profession, so it vital that only those people with appropriate skills and qualifications carry out such work.
“Using a qualified electrician gives consumers the confidence that they are employing an expert who undertakes continued professional development and regular assessments to ensure they maintain the highest standards of safety and technical integrity at all times.”
He said: “There are thousands of people in Scotland claiming to be electricians without adequate training or certification. This is a serious risk to public safety, and we need support in law for qualified electricians.”
Mr Mundell, who holds the Dumfries-shire seat, added: “It is vitally important that consumers are helped to make informed choices whenever they employ an electrician.”
SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “As we enter another year in our long-running campaign, it is particularly heartening to receive even more support from prominent parliamentarians, particularly those who have served in a ministerial capacity.
“AT SELECT, we feel there is a growing understanding of the validity of the case that is being made for electricians, who will be the professionals we turn to as we transition to net zero and an electric future
“The campaign, which focuses on safety in the home and in businesses, has been a long, hard road, but there is a sense that we are entering the end game and we will continue to focus all our efforts in bringing it to a successful conclusion.”
Mr Wilson added: “The new names on the Wall clearly illustrate that, while the campaign is under consideration in the Scottish Parliament, and has Westminster MP support for raising the matter in the House of Commons, support is still very much a live issue.”
By putting their names on a virtual brick in the Wall, supporters are taking a public stance underlines their backing for legislation in Holyrood which would make it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications.
As well as more than a third of MSPs, other bodies that have contributed a brick to the wall include Unite the Union, Electrical Safety First, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Association of Landlords, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group and the Energy Saving Trust.
The City of Edinburgh Council is asking residents to give their feedback on a long-term plan for decarbonising heat in buildings and improving energy efficiency.
The Council has prepared the Edinburgh LHEES, along with a Delivery Plan, in response to the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (Scotland) Order 2022. The policy requires all Scottish local authorities to publish a LHEES, and a Delivery Plan, by the end of 2023.
The Edinburgh LHEES sets out a strategic approach which aims to improve the energy efficiency and decarbonise the heat supply of buildings. It also plans to eliminate poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty.
Using an area-wide approach, the plan addresses all buildings in the Edinburgh area, not just the Council’s own building stock.
The Delivery Plan, which focuses on actions between 2024 and 2028, sets out short to medium term actions associated with the implementation of the strategy. It prioritises areas where actions may be easier, cheaper, or have a known outcome. For example, adding loft insultation means less heat escapes through the loft.
Councillor Cammy Day, Council Leader, said: “My thanks go to everyone who has taken the time to share their views with us so far. The unfortunate reality is that we are in a climate emergency.
“There is still time to avert disaster if we take bold and immediate action at the speed and scale necessary. That’s why we have set the ambitious but necessary target for Edinburgh to become a net zero city by 2030.
“Whilst we continue to lead the way in our efforts, we still have a long road ahead to reach our goal in addressing the climate and nature emergencies. As part of our work, I am pleased to welcome the Edinburgh Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plan which sets out how our buildings can move to net zero.
“The plan is relevant to all owners and occupiers of Edinburgh’s buildings, but it can only be delivered by the combined effort of all of us. I’m very keen to engage with our residents on this important plan and hope this consultation allows them the opportunity to have their voices heard.”
The consultation closes on Sunday 3 March. Find out more and share views here.
Government recommends reforms to boost public trust in the BBC following a review at the mid-point of its 11 year Charter
Review recommends greater independent scrutiny of complaints handling, improving transparency for commercial media organisations, and extending Ofcom oversight over more BBC online services
BBC urged to better reflect diverse views and opinions in decision-making and improve engagement with underserved audience groups, among other key recommendations
The Westminster government has recommended major reforms to help boost audience confidence in the BBC’s impartiality and complaints system, following the first Mid-Term Review published by the government today.
Launched at the halfway point of the BBC’s 11 year Royal Charter, the Mid-Term Review evaluates the effectiveness of the governance and regulatory arrangements introduced by the Charter in 2017, with recommendations to ensure the best outcome for audiences.
Audiences will be given greater certainty that their complaints about BBC TV, radio and on demand content – including concerns about bias – are dealt with fairly, through greater scrutiny of its complaints process, which is to be made more independent from programme makers. A new legally binding responsibility on the BBC Board will require it to actively oversee the BBC’s complaints process to assure audiences that their concerns are being fairly considered.
In recognition that audiences are increasingly getting their news and watching content online, Ofcom oversight will be extended to parts of the BBC’s online public services, including the BBC News website, to enable Ofcom to hold the BBC to account in a more robust way.
And Ofcom will be given a new legally binding responsibility to review more of the BBC’s complaints decisions, meaning audiences can have greater confidence that their complaints have been handled fairly.
The Mid-Term Review stresses the need for the BBC to clearly demonstrate how it will meet its obligations on distinctiveness over the remainder of this Charter period, and for the BBC to meaningfully engage with its competitors, such as radio stations and local newspapers, when it is considering a change to its services.
The government consulted the BBC and Ofcom closely on the recommendations and expects them to be implemented in a timely manner. The government has also identified some key issues as a result of the Mid-Term Review that need to be further considered at the next Charter Review before 2027.
In particular, we will continue to place a strong emphasis on impartiality and complaints, including reviewing the effectiveness of the BBC’s new social media guidelines and whether the BBC First model – formally introduced by the Charter in 2017 – process remains the right model for complaints, as well as how distinctive BBC output and services are from those of commercial providers.
The Government has highlighted these priorities for the next Charter in correspondence with the BBC.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The Government wants to see a strong, independent BBC that can thrive in the years to come as a major contributor to the nation’s successful creative industries.
“In a rapidly changing media landscape the BBC needs to adapt or risk losing the trust of the audiences it relies on. Following constructive conservations with the BBC and Ofcom, we have recommended reforms that I believe will improve accountability while boosting public confidence in the BBC’s ability to be impartial and respond to concerns raised by licence fee payers.
“These changes will better set up the BBC to ask difficult questions of itself, and make sure Ofcom can continue to hold the broadcaster to account. We all rely on the BBC being the best it can be and this review will help ensure that is what the British public gets.”
Complaints and impartiality
The Mid-Term Review has concluded that the BBC’s complaints process introduced at the last Charter Review in 2017, known as BBC First – where audience complaints are normally addressed by the BBC before they can be escalated to Ofcom – allows licence fee payers to hold the BBC directly accountable.
However, impartiality continues to be an ongoing issue for audiences, with concerns about the broadcaster’s objectivity making up the majority of complaints about the BBC’s editorial content. The review highlights a lack of public confidence in the way the BBC currently handles complaints.
Following challenging and constructive conversations with the government, the BBC will introduce reforms to enhance the independent scrutiny of its complaints handling and further improve the experience of viewers who make a complaint.
The BBC Board previously had a responsibility to oversee only the establishment of a complaints handling process. We are now giving the entire Board the responsibility to oversee how that process is working in practice. Furthermore, the non-executive board directors and external advisors on the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee will be given greater powers to scrutinise and challenge how BBC senior management responds to complaints.
The job role which has responsibility for complaints handling now reports directly to the Director General rather than the Director responsible for editorial policy, separating pre-broadcast editorial policy and post-broadcast complaints resolution.
Currently Ofcom regulates the BBC’s TV, radio and on demand output, but not other elements of its online content. The government has committed to extending Ofcom regulation to other elements of the BBC’s online public service material in order to give audiences confidence that the BBC is being held to greater account across its digital services. The government expects this to apply to BBC branded content on third party websites, applications and other online interfaces over which the BBC has editorial control – including the BBC News website and the BBC’s YouTube channel.
The review recommends the BBC materially improves the experience of audiences when lodging a complaint by giving clearer explanations of the process and the roles of the BBC and Ofcom, to ensure licence fee payers are not put off from sharing their views. The review also recommends Ofcom improves the transparency of its decision making when considering whether to open a formal investigation into content that the BBC has found has breached its own editorial standards. This will help audiences to better understand whether Ofcom is taking further regulatory action and why.
At Charter Review, the government is committing to examining whether BBC First remains the right complaints model to enable the BBC to deliver against its responsibility to serve all audiences.
To help the BBC go further to tackle perceptions of bias, the review also recommends that the BBC publishes more information about the work it is doing to strengthen the impartiality of its editorial content, including to illustrate the impact it’s having.
The BBC’s impact on the wider market
Looking at the BBC’s impact on the UK media landscape, the review sets out that the BBC must clearly demonstrate how it effectively balances delivering for licence fee payers and supporting the UK’s wider creative industries when making decisions about how its services and output are distinctive. This is increasingly important given broader structural trends in some of the markets in which the BBC operates, such as online local news, and will be an important question for the Charter Review.
Meaningful engagement with competitors should be strengthened and the BBC must be more transparent when it seeks to make changes to its services. This higher standard of engagement and transparency should support other businesses operating in the same markets as the BBC, including commercial radio stations and local news publishers. The government has recommended that Ofcom publish an annual high-level view on the BBC’s position in the local news sector, as it does for other sectors, to provide further clarity.
The government has also recommended that the BBC develop a public strategy outlining how it will partner with others, and provide competitors with greater clarity on how it will make decisions on partnerships.
While the government supports the BBC’s ambitious plans to grow its commercial revenue, and has found that the governance and regulation of its commercial activities works effectively, the impact of any changes, such as the introduction of a BBC Commercial Board in 2022, needs to be closely monitored.
Diversity
As a national broadcaster, the BBC has a duty in its Charter to accurately reflect, represent and serve diverse communities across the UK, both on and off the screen.
While the BBC has said it is committed to improving representation, the review recommends it considers how diversity of thought and opinion could be better reflected in its decision-making. Some audience groups, for example, disabled viewers and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, feel underrepresented by the BBC. We recommend that the BBC works to ensure engagement with these groups is sufficient to best understand their specific needs and concerns.
RED WEATHER WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTH EAST SCOTLAND
Storm Isha has brought high winds and heavy rain across Scotland, combining with snow melt and leading to the risk of flooding.
Janine Hensman, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said yesterday: “Snow melt and widespread bands of rain across the country are expected to cause localised flooding.
“Rivers are starting to respond to rainfall so we expect more localised flooding from rivers, sea and surface water.
“It’s likely to disrupt travel and transport, and potential flooding could hamper efforts to respond to wind damage from #StormIsha.
“The strong winds combined with high tides and large waves may also result in wave overtopping and flooding of causeways, promenades, properties and roads along the southern and western coasts. Take care on exposed coasts.
“We have issued Regional Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings as our rivers respond to the heavy rain and snow earlier in the week. We continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7.
“People living, working and travelling in affected areas are advised to consider any steps they need to take now to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if they need to travel.
“We advise people to sign up to Floodline to receive free updates for where they live, or travel through, directly to their phone. People can also check our flood updates for all the latest information and the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.”
Gusts of 74 miles per hour were recorded in Edinburghduring the night and Police Scotland is advising commuters to avoid all but essential travel:
“Due to the amount of debris caused by #StormIsha, short notice road closures, localised flooding and other issues are expected, in addition to the high winds. As a result, the police advice is to Avoid Travel = travel only if absolutely necessary.”
A Scotland-wide Yellow Warning remains in place until midday today.
Scotrail has suspended all train services until after this morning’s rush hour.
FLOODING
Be Prepared
Check the Scottish Flood Forecast - developed in partnership with the Met Office, it provides the earliest indication possible of when and where flooding is expected over the next three days, and whether the source is from rivers, surface water or the sea.
Sign up to Floodline and receive free flood messages letting you know when the area where you live, work or travel through is at risk of flooding.
Create a flood plan which includes knowing how to shut off your gas, water and electricity supplies.
Consider installing flood protection at your home.
Stay safe
Follow the advice of emergency responders.
Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water.
Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car.
If you’re walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and small watercourses.
Stay away from flooded promenades and crashing waves around the coast.
Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.
Stay informed
Follow @SEPAFlood on X for the latest flooding information
Ready Scotland shares advice on preparing for severe weather.
What’s the difference between a Flood Alert and a Flood Warning?
We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.
Regional Flood Alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the Alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.
Flood Warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.
The winds will gradually ease through the day on Monday. Overnight into Tuesday will be a calmer interlude for most, with lighter winds and fewer showers in the north for a time.
This does not last for long, however, as low pressure brings further wet and windy weather from the west on Tuesday morning, spreading eastwards across the UK though the day.
POLICE are continuing to appeal for information to help trace missing man Daniel Fraser two weeks since he was last seen in Musselburgh.
Around 1.37am on Sunday, 7 January, the 35-year-old was seen outside The Old Golf Course reception building, Stables Pavilion, near the racecourse in the town.
Extensive enquires, including reviewing CCTV, are ongoing to trace Daniel who is from the Drylaw area.
On the evening of Saturday, 20 January, officers were out and about in Musselburgh asking the public if they have seen Daniel or if they know where he might be.
They were asked to think back in case they remember seeing him in the area two weeks ago, when he was last seen.
He is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with short light brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a grey long-sleeved jumper with a white t-shirt underneath, dark-coloured jeans and black trainers with blue detailing.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “It has been two weeks since Daniel was last seen and we are becoming increasingly concerned. It is completely out of character for him not to keep in contact with his family and friends and this is a very upsetting time for them.
“Extensive searches and enquiries are continuing to trace him and a team of local officers have been assisted by specialist resources, including the Force helicopter, search teams and police dogs, in our efforts to find Daniel as soon as possible.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Musselburgh area, particularly near the Old Golf Course building to think back. Please get in touch if you think you may have seen anyone matching Daniel’s description.
“In addition, if you have private CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist with our enquiries to find where he went then let us know. Any information, no matter how small, could help our enquiry.
“I urge anyone with information to contact 101 quoting incident number 3723 of 11 January.”
Did you know that a quarter of adults can’t think of something they’re truly proud of in the last 12 months? This statistic highlights the need for meaningful experiences that not only enrich our lives but also make a positive impact on the lives of others.
As we step into the promising year of 2024, I’d like to encourage people to embark on a journey that not only fosters personal pride but also contributes to a noble cause. Participating in an event for the BHF provides the perfect opportunity to achieve both.
The BHF is supporting more than 60 events across the country this year, including the Edinburgh Half Marathon. By choosing to take on an event like BHF’s iconic London to Brighton Bike Ride, Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim or one of the AJ Bell Great Run Series events, which the BHF are official charity partner for, you not only challenge yourself physically and mentally but also contribute to funding crucial research.
Imagine the sense of accomplishment and pride you’ll feel as you cross that finish line, knowing that your efforts have made a difference to the 7.6 million lives affected by heart and circulatory diseases, in the UK each year.
To learn more about BHF events or to register, visit the British Heart Foundation website; www.bhf.org.uk/events
Sincerely,
Dan Geneen,
Head of Events Marketing at the British Heart Foundation
