Alderney Rotary raises funds for cardiac charity
The Rotary Club of Alderney has been raising vital funds for cardiac charity Heartbeat which supports cardiac patients and their families when they need it most.
The Rotary Club of Alderney (established 1979) plays a big part in community and fundraising projects, has organised several fundraisers in aid of Heartbeat, including its annual Valentine’s Dinner at French restaurant Le Pesked. The event attracted more than 50 attendees and raised £1,000 through ticket sales and a raffle. Its most recent fundraiser also generated a further impressive sum of £600 for the charity.
The funds are supporting the renovation of Rotary Heartbeat House, the charity’s home-from-home accommodation for families of patients receiving treatment at University Hospital Southampton. The facility is particularly important for people travelling from Alderney and the wider Channel Islands, allowing them to stay close to loved ones during what can be an extremely difficult and uncertain time. Rotary Heartbeat House is already welcomed by over 33% of Bailiwick friends and the next of kin of cardiac patients sent to Southampton Hospital for treatment.
In September, the Alderney Rotary Club hosted a speaker lunch attended by Guernsey resident Isabelle Whyte who shared more about the charity’s work and provided an update on the ongoing renovation of Rotary Heartbeat House.
Isabelle Whyte also spoke at the lunch about her experience of staying at the house while her husband underwent life-saving surgery. She explained how having somewhere to stay close to him had made an enormous difference during such a difficult time.
Club President Vaughan Davies said: “Our members are passionate about supporting causes that make a real difference, and we are proud to champion Heartbeat and the vital work it does for cardiac patients and their families not only in the Wessex region but also directly affected in Alderney.
“Rotary Heartbeat House is particularly important for people travelling from Alderney and the wider Channel Islands to Southampton for treatment. Having somewhere to stay close to a loved one during a major operation can make an enormous difference, as Isabella’s experience so powerfully demonstrates.
“We’re proud to support Heartbeat and help ensure this vital accommodation continues to be available for families who need it. A huge thank you to the Heartbeat team for joining us at our speaker lunch and sharing more about the charity’s work.”
Heartbeat supports people of all ages across the region who have been diagnosed with congenital and cardiovascular disease, primarily by supporting the work of the Wessex Cardiac Unit at University Hospital Southampton. The charity provides specialised equipment, services and facilities to help patients and their relatives throughout their cardiac journey, while also funding ground-breaking research and pioneering projects to improve heart health.
Heartbeat Community Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Tanya Harder said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club of Alderney for its continued generosity and dedication to Heartbeat. The funds raised will play an important role in the ongoing renovation of Rotary Heartbeat House, a place that provides comfort, reassurance and a vital lifeline for families needing to stay close to loved ones undergoing life-changing and often life-saving cardiac treatment in Southampton.
“We are also deeply thankful to Isabelle for giving her time to support and represent Heartbeat at the lunch. Her willingness to share her personal experience was both moving and inspiring. Hearing first-hand how Rotary Heartbeat House has supported families travelling from the Channel Islands brings home the real difference this accommodation makes during some of the most challenging times in people's lives. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Alderney Rotary Club and everyone who has contributed to and supported this important project."
