The Vale of Glamorgan becomes a Heart County

29 June 2012

The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council has become the fifth area in Wales to sign up as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) ‘Heart County’. 

Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan Cllr Eric Hacker signed the pledge to be Wales’ latest community to join the British Heart Foundation initiative and support lifesaving research.

Pupils from Cadoxton Primary School and St. Helen’s Junior School in Barry performed at the event and then posed with Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board staff to publicise the Pledge Signing.

Heart and Circulatory Disease (cardiovascular disease or CVD) is the main cause of death within Wales. The BHF is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research and plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and care. There is also much that can be done to reduce the risk of Heart Disease by encouraging healthy eating, active living and reducing smoking.

In its 50th year the BHF launched the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. The goal is simple: to fund the research that could begin to 'mend broken hearts' in as little as 10 years and save and improve the lives of millions within decades.

The Mayor of Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Eric Hacker, said: "The Vale of Glamorgan Council is proud to be joining the British Heart Foundation’s Heart campaign, which helps to raise awareness of heart and circulatory disease. By signing the pledge, the council aims to encourage residents to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles. The council is committed to improving the heart health of communities throughout the Vale today and for future generations."

Sharon Owen of the BHF said: "Signing the pledge today is just the first step. The next few months will see a number of activities to celebrate the Healthy County campaign with plenty of opportunity for people across the Vale to take part."

This will include:

- The delivery of play equipment to schools across the Vale of Glamorgan;                     

- Launching a Health at Work Initiative for employers and workplaces

- Providing a wide range of healthy lifestyle booklets at Council premises;

- An annual event to support the work of the British Heart Foundation.

Dr Sian Griffiths, public health consultant with Public Health Wales and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “We are delighted that our partners in the Vale of Glamorgan are taking such a proactive approach in working with the BHF to raise awareness of the risks of Heart Disease and to support fundraising for ongoing research. This will make a positive contribution to the work being carried out by all partners in supporting the people of the Vale of Glamorgan to improve their health and wellbeing."