British Heart Foundation
Encyclopedia
The British Heart Foundation (or BHF) is a charity
organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart
diseases in human
s.
. They wanted to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease.
It is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research, education and care, and relies predominantly on voluntary donations to meet its aims. In order to increase income and maximise the impact of its work, it also works with other organisations to combat premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease.
A full history can be found at: http://www.bhf.org.uk/about_us/history_of_the_bhf.aspx
In 2010 the BHF spent their income on Research (57%), care and prevention (43%).
BHF invested a net £48.4 million in research during the year. In Prevention and Care, as well as
funding their ongoing activity in healthcare professionals (£2.5 million), placing
defibrillators in places of need (£1.4 million) and producing heart health resources for
all age groups. BHF also invested £4 million in four new large programmes and ten cluster projects under the Hearty Lives initiative. They also invested £0.5 million in their Heart Information Series.
Case studies of how BHF work has helped individuals can be found in their here http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1001303. This includes examples of their research work and local volunteering activity.
, Kitchen Detective and Kid's Fit Squad. Both series encouraged healthy eating and exercise with practical advice for families, and aired on the Discovery Health
channel. The BHF, along with Cancer Research UK
, is a major backer of the anti-tobacco campaign group Action on Smoking and Health
.
and wills
, accounting for 44% of their income, the other 56% is made up of other voluntary income (32%), profit from the retail profit (19%) and investment income (5%)
The charity organises a sponsored skipping
challenge through schools, in which the participating schools are entitled to retain 20% of the money raised.
Other annual campaigns include National Heart Month (held throughout February), Help a Heart, Have a Heart, Valentines Hearts and Wear Red Day
, as well as many other campaigns to recruit volunteers, raise awareness of BHF, sell stock and increase donation
s.
British duo Knock Twice released their debut single "I Heart You"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFAOvQ-yhZk in aid of the British Heart Foundation on 8 February 2010.
In December 2010 Victoria Wood
performed a show called "The Angina Monologues" for The British Heart Foundation with the strapline "Beating Heart Disease one laugh at a time".
s throughout England
, Wales
and Scotland
, as of April 2010 they run over 600 standard retail shops and 87 furniture and electrical shops (or F+E shops), and they are looking to acquire 100 more sites in the coming years. The BHF Retail division makes roughly £16 million every year accounting for 13% of the overall income of BHF, an increase of £1 million from the previous year, and £2 million the year before that.
BHF shops are predominantly staffed by roughly 10,000 volunteers and each shop also has a paid staff made up of a shop manager
, shop assistant and may also have a retail assistant.
The British Heart Foundation were the first charity shops to Gift Aid
their donations to get extra money by claiming the tax back from the donor.
In early 2010, the BHF digital checkout switchover went live, and currently most shops have new digital tills, as opposed to the old analogue tills, the new tills include bar code scanners, touch screen interface, separate till roll printer, colour printer and instant information upload to HQ.
The Retail Director is Mike Lucas and the headquarters of the retail division is based in Claygate
, England
.
plans to take out a series of newspaper adverts urging the public to stop giving money to Cancer Research UK
, the British Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Society
and Parkinson's UK unless they end their support for animal testing. " In November 2011 a protest took place calling for the BHF and the University of Leeds to stop carrying out co-funded "lethal experiments" on dogs. The pressure group Animal Aid stated that 100 dogs had died since 1988 during the experiments.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
diseases in human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s.
Foundation
The British Heart Foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals who were concerned about the increasing death rate from cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
. They wanted to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease.
It is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research, education and care, and relies predominantly on voluntary donations to meet its aims. In order to increase income and maximise the impact of its work, it also works with other organisations to combat premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease.
A full history can be found at: http://www.bhf.org.uk/about_us/history_of_the_bhf.aspx
Activities
The British Heart Foundation focuses on five areas of cardiovascular health:- Research - BHF will continue to pioneer research into the causes of heart disease and improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
- Information - BHF will provide vital information to help people reduce their own heart health risk.
- Campaigning - BHF will get government to establish policies that minimise the risk of developing heart and circulatory disease
- Care - BHF will help attain the highest possible standards of care and support for patients.
- Equality - BHF will reduce inequalities in the levels of heart disease across the UK
In 2010 the BHF spent their income on Research (57%), care and prevention (43%).
BHF invested a net £48.4 million in research during the year. In Prevention and Care, as well as
funding their ongoing activity in healthcare professionals (£2.5 million), placing
defibrillators in places of need (£1.4 million) and producing heart health resources for
all age groups. BHF also invested £4 million in four new large programmes and ten cluster projects under the Hearty Lives initiative. They also invested £0.5 million in their Heart Information Series.
Case studies of how BHF work has helped individuals can be found in their here http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1001303. This includes examples of their research work and local volunteering activity.
Sponsorship
The British Heart Foundation sponsored two television series produced by TwofourTwofour
Twofour is a UK independent media group that was founded in 1988 by Charles Wace, a former TV news producer and brother of financier Ian Wace. It has grown to become one of the largest independent media groups in the UK, employing over 350 people internationally....
, Kitchen Detective and Kid's Fit Squad. Both series encouraged healthy eating and exercise with practical advice for families, and aired on the Discovery Health
Discovery Home & Health
Discovery Home & Health is a television channel based in the United Kingdom.Discovery Home & Health is available in Latin America , Australia, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.It was formerly available on SelecTV from March 2007...
channel. The BHF, along with Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
, is a major backer of the anti-tobacco campaign group Action on Smoking and Health
Action on Smoking and Health
Action on Smoking and Health is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups/charities throughout the world which seek to publicize the risks associated with tobacco smoking and campaigns for greater restrictions on cigarette and tobacco sales....
.
Facts and figures
- There are over 260 BHF Heart Nurses caring for patients across the UK.
- Over 1,620 Heartstart UK schemes to educate people what to do in various emergency situations (not just cardiac emergencies). More than 1.2 million people have been trained by Heartstart UK in schools and the community.
- In 2006, the British Heart Foundation had a gross income of over £100m.
- Every year 4,600 babies are born in the UK with a congenital heart defectCongenital heart defectA congenital heart defect is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels which is present at birth. Many types of heart defects exist, most of which either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it, or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. Other...
.
Fundraising
The BHF is mainly funded by legaciesWill (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
and wills
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
, accounting for 44% of their income, the other 56% is made up of other voluntary income (32%), profit from the retail profit (19%) and investment income (5%)
The charity organises a sponsored skipping
Jump rope
Jump rope or skipping rope is the primary tool used in the game of skipping played by children and many young adults, where one or more participants jump over a rope swung so that it passes under their feet and over their heads...
challenge through schools, in which the participating schools are entitled to retain 20% of the money raised.
Other annual campaigns include National Heart Month (held throughout February), Help a Heart, Have a Heart, Valentines Hearts and Wear Red Day
Wear red day
National Wear Red Day is a day in February when many people wear red to show their support for the awareness of heart disease.- In the US :It occurs in America on the first Friday in February each year....
, as well as many other campaigns to recruit volunteers, raise awareness of BHF, sell stock and increase donation
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s.
British duo Knock Twice released their debut single "I Heart You"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFAOvQ-yhZk in aid of the British Heart Foundation on 8 February 2010.
In December 2010 Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood CBE is a British comedienne, actress, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and director. Wood has written and starred in sketches, plays, films and sitcoms, and her live stand-up comedy act is interspersed with her own compositions, which she accompanies on piano...
performed a show called "The Angina Monologues" for The British Heart Foundation with the strapline "Beating Heart Disease one laugh at a time".
Retail Division
The British Heart Foundation Shops Division was founded in 1987, and was renamed Retail Division in 2010. The BHF run a large chain of charity shopCharity shop
A charity shop, thrift shop, thrift store, hospice shop , resale shop or op shop is a retail establishment run by a charitable organization to raise money.Charity shops are a type of social enterprise...
s throughout England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, as of April 2010 they run over 600 standard retail shops and 87 furniture and electrical shops (or F+E shops), and they are looking to acquire 100 more sites in the coming years. The BHF Retail division makes roughly £16 million every year accounting for 13% of the overall income of BHF, an increase of £1 million from the previous year, and £2 million the year before that.
BHF shops are predominantly staffed by roughly 10,000 volunteers and each shop also has a paid staff made up of a shop manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, shop assistant and may also have a retail assistant.
The British Heart Foundation were the first charity shops to Gift Aid
Gift Aid
Gift Aid is a UK tax incentive that enables tax-effective giving by individuals to charities in the United Kingdom. Gift Aid was originally introduced in Finance Act 1990 for donation from 1 October 1990, but was originally limited to cash gifts of £600 or more...
their donations to get extra money by claiming the tax back from the donor.
In early 2010, the BHF digital checkout switchover went live, and currently most shops have new digital tills, as opposed to the old analogue tills, the new tills include bar code scanners, touch screen interface, separate till roll printer, colour printer and instant information upload to HQ.
The Retail Director is Mike Lucas and the headquarters of the retail division is based in Claygate
Claygate
Claygate is a village in the English county of Surrey, approximately south west of London and within the Metropolitan Green Belt.It is primarily a residential area but with offices, farms and two shopping areas with a supermarket, five pubs and numerous restaurants...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Criticism
The charity is one of 4 organisations subject to a national boycott campaign regarding their usage of animal testing. "Animal AidAnimal Aid
Animal Aid, founded in 1977, is a British animal rights organisation. The group campaigns peacefully against all forms of animal abuse and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. It also investigates and exposes animal cruelty....
plans to take out a series of newspaper adverts urging the public to stop giving money to Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
, the British Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer’s Society is a United Kingdom care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.It is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
and Parkinson's UK unless they end their support for animal testing. " In November 2011 a protest took place calling for the BHF and the University of Leeds to stop carrying out co-funded "lethal experiments" on dogs. The pressure group Animal Aid stated that 100 dogs had died since 1988 during the experiments.
See also
- American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart AssociationThe American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaHeart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaThe Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. The foundation's purpose is centered around educating individuals about the prevention and management of heart disease and stroke, and to fund medical research regarding the causes of these conditions...
- Heart Disease Research Foundation
- National Heart Foundation of AustraliaNational Heart Foundation of AustraliaThe National Heart Foundation of Australia is an independent charity established in 1959. Its vision is for Australians to have the best cardiovascular health in the world and its mission is to reduce suffering and death from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease in Australia.Over the past five...
- United OneHeart FoundationUnited OneHeart FoundationUnited OneHeart Foundation is a non-profit research and development organisation. Its stated mission is as a non-profit organisation to help people to improve the quality of life by fostering improvements in medicine with the aim of decreasing impact of cardiovascular diseases with focus on India...
External links
- BHF Website
- BHF Health at Work website
- BHF volunteering website
- National Heart Month Website
- http://www.bhf.org.uk/annualreview09/BHF-Annual-Review-2009.pdf
- Official BHF Blog
- Intelligent Giving profile of the British Heart Foundation
- BHF Retail Division Property Requirements Website