Hannah Woodford
My Story
Living on the Isle of Wight is wonderful but it does have some major drawbacks when it comes to the limit of care we have on the island.
Heartbeat help patients, and their families and loved ones through what can be an absolutely horrific time. They are a local charity established in 1992 that help babies, children and adults diagnosed with congenital and cardiovascular diseases primarily by supporting the work of the Wessex Cardiac Unit based at the University Hospital Southampton. They provide specialised equipment, services and facilities to help patients and their relatives through their cardiac journey. One of their initiatives is Hearbeat House which is around a 3 minute walk away from the cardiac units at Southampton. This provides essential, extremely low cost comfort and accommodation to relatives and loved ones of those who are undergoing treatment within the unit. You can read more about Hearbeat below.
In the meantime, please hit the donate button to sponsor me, running for Hearbeat in the Great South Run 2024! Such an amazing cause that deserves all the help in the world to keep providing their incredible services!
Heartbeat - How we help
Prevention
Providing medical equipment and funding research on the prevention of heart disease to the Wessex Cardiac Unit. Both equipment and services generally of a type that the NHS would not provide (for example leading edge or innovatory.)
Patient Support
Owning and operating a facility for people with loved ones on the Cardiac Wards. Heartbeat House is a 23 bedroom “home from home” adjacent to the hospital and provides accommodation for up to 35 people at any one time and is available to anyone whose relative is an in-patient in the Wessex Cardiac Unit.
Education and Training
Providing funds to train and educate staff in the Wessex Cardiac Unit ranging from supporting attendees at conferences to funding training courses for medical staff to enhance and advance their professional knowledge and skills.
Rehabilitation
Funding research on the rehabilitation and cure of heart disease.