In autumn last year we launched an appeal to raise £830,000 for the BHI to provide world-class equipment and new facilities. We are delighted to report that there is just £50k to go to reach target!

This fantastic progress - only made possible by such generous public support - means the biggest part of the appeal, the £378,000 Echocardiography Facility, can be fully funded. Located in the BHI next door to the Coronary Care Unit, the new facility means patients will benefit from heart scans, treatment and care all under one roof.

It will bring an end to hour long round trips for an echocardiogram for very poorly patients through the BHI and BRI. In total three areas will be built: a private assessment room, a more appropriate patient waiting area and a large room where the echocardiograms will take place.

At the heart of the appeal are hundreds of individuals, fundraisers, schools, clubs, local businesses and trusts and foundations.

One such superstar is 75-year-old John Griffin who on Saturday 29 September, World Heart Day, completed a 12 hour spinning challenge, so far raising almost £8,000.

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We still need your support!

Money raised from the BHI Appeal will also support a range of projects, including funding for rehabilitation chairs and a new mobile echo machine to provide the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit with their own ultrasound equipment for bedside diagnosis.

Thank you to everyone who has kindly donated to ensure we can continue to deliver excellent care to more than 40,000 patients in one of the UK's leading cardiac services. Here's how you could help the appeal reach target:

• Fundraise with your family and friends
• Set up a Direct Debit
• Become our charity partner at work or fundraise with your colleagues
• Text BEAT33 £5/£10 to 70070
• Make a single donation