Volunteering is good for the heart – literally – says the Irish Heart Foundation following a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association which showed that being big-hearted can help to reduce cholesterol levels and body mass index. There is no better time to put these findings to the test, by putting your heart first and volunteering for the national Happy Hearts May campaign in aid of the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke.
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 Mayo 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 Mayo 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 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
