As part of a national volunteering drive for its annual Happy Hearts appeal in May, the Irish Heart Foundation head of fundraising Aidan Stacey is urging the people of Westmeath to fly their county flag for the campaign.
He said: “We always knew that volunteering made you feel good because every year our Happy Hearts appeal attracts the biggest smiles around the country which is entirely down to the fantastic spirit of our volunteers. So it is no surprise to our charity to learn that it is good for your heart too!
“Being healthy means a healthy mind and body. By volunteering for our Happy Hearts appeal, our Westmeath supporters not only enjoy the craic meeting new people, but they boost their mental health by feeling good about making a difference and they are actively selling hearts which gets their own heart pumping in the process. It’s a win-win for everyone and having volunteer support to raise vital funds is essential to our charity’s work in research, lifesaving resuscitation and patient support for those affected by heart disease and stroke.”
The Irish Heart Foundation is calling on all age groups in Westmeath to volunteer with heart and for the good of their hearts to support the biggest heartwarming event of the year - Happy Hearts May. Both young and the young at heart, are encouraged to sign up now and join a volunteering team in time for the Irish Heart Foundation in Dublin’s annual volunteer lunch on April 9.
Every year in Ireland, 10,000 lives are lost to heart disease and stroke and there is hardly a family untouched by this disease. In 2011, cardiovascular disease claimed 195 lives in Westmeath. The Irish Heart Foundation is urging anyone with time to spare to volunteer for two hours or more to help keep more hearts beating in 2013.
For more about volunteering see www.irishheart.ie
