Heartbeat appoints new Head of Fundraising with personal connection to the charity

Southampton-based cardiac charity Heartbeat is delighted to welcome Eliza O’Reilly as its new Head of Fundraising. Bringing both professional expertise and a deeply personal connection to the charity, Eliza joins the team with a passion for helping Heartbeat continue its life-changing support for heart patients and their families.

Bringing with her more than 17 years of charity sector experience Eliza has worked with a range of charities, including Young Lives vs Cancer, Help for Heroes and the Wessex Cancer Trust. Her experience spans corporate, community and event fundraising, as well as individual giving and legacies.

For Eliza, joining Heartbeat is about far more than a new professional opportunity. With her nan, grandad and dad all having undergone heart bypass surgery at University Hospital Southampton, she understands first-hand the emotional and practical challenges that a heart condition can bring for both patients and their loved ones. Through her family's experiences, she has seen the comfort, care and reassurance Heartbeat provides at some of life's most uncertain moments, giving her a deep appreciation for the charity's work and a personal passion for supporting its mission.

In her new role as Head of Fundraising, Eliza will work alongside Heartbeat’s already successful fundraising team to develop the charity’s fundraising strategy and raise vital funds for Heartbeat House and the specific projects supported by the charity.

She will also support the team’s existing programme of fundraising events, while introducing new approaches to fundraising to reach wider audiences and increase awareness of Heartbeat’s work.

A key part of her role will be ensuring the charity’s fundraising activity is professional, effective and legally compliant, while identifying new opportunities to engage supporters and generate vital income.

Eliza said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have joined the Heartbeat team. I have known of Heartbeat my entire life and have had family members with heart conditions, so to be able to join the organisation and work with the already brilliant team, to continue raising funds for those that need us, is an honour.”

Mark Ind, Chief Executive Officer of Heartbeat, said: “Eliza has already proven to be an invaluable addition to our team, helping to identify new opportunities for us to grow as a charity and continue to raise money to provide funding for various projects, as well as support patients and their families living with heart conditions.”