LOCAL groups and organisations are being urged to apply for funding to promote a healthy heart and help to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease.

The appeal comes from the Forest’s elected health champion, Cllr Craig Lawton (Con, Oxenhall and Newent North East) and funding, of up to £10,000 is available through Heart Research UK and Subway Health Heart Grants until February 18.

Cllr Lawton said: “Over 70,000 people in the UK die each year from coronary heart disease, while a further 40,000 people last year died prematurely from cardiovascular disease.

“That is why I hope that local groups and organisations, many of which have great track records of working in their communities already, take the opportunity to apply for this funding.

“We must remember that each of those statistics is a real person with a family and hopefully this can help more local residents to survive.

“It is important to also remember that this funding could be used to help residents reduce the risks of further heart issues and, with 1.5 million people in the UK living with the aftereffects of a heart attack, this could be crucial in helping those people locally as well,” he said.

Funding will be announced on March 13.

More information about how to apply can be found at www.heartresearch.org.uk/apply-for-grants/healthy-hearts/ or from Heart Research UK on 0114 234 7474.