Companies across Dorset are being encouraged to help beat heart disease by joining forces with the British Heart Foundation.

Heart and circulatory disease kills nearly 160,000 people in the UK each year, stealing them away from families and loved ones. 

In the South West alone, close to 14,500 lives are lost to heart and circulatory disease and around 635,000 currently live with the burden of these devastating conditions.

The BHF is calling on organisations across the region to help end this devastation by supporting the charity’s lifesaving work and becoming an official charity partner.

Last year, companies in the South West raised around £50,000, which will help BHF researchers identify revolutionary new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat heart and circulatory disease.

Companies can also play a vital role in helping the BHF create a nation of lifesavers. By training staff in how to perform lifesaving CPR, local businesses can empower colleagues with skills they need if someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

Peter Tarrant, BHF fundraising manager for the South West, said: “Heart disease is heartless. Too many lives are lost in the South West each year, and we’re determined to do everything we can to keep more families together. 

“We urgently need more funds to help end the devastation caused by heart disease which is why we’re calling on the support of companies – large and small – across the region.

"Every pound raised through partnerships will help make a difference to the millions living with the terrible burden of heart disease.”

Visit bhf.org.uk/how-your-company-can-help