Hundreds step up to raise £8,800 for Southampton cardiac charity

Thousands of pounds have been raised for local cardiac charity Heartbeat after the hugely successful return of Heart & Stroll saw families, friends and supporters come together for a memorable day of fundraising and fun.

An incredible £8,800 was raised as 244 participants took to Southampton Common on Sunday 28 June, enjoying a gentle 5k walk packed with surprises along the route, all while supporting Heartbeat's vital work for cardiac patients and their families across the south and beyond.

Powered by local fitness brand GBHQ, this year's Heart & Stroll was bigger and better than ever, transforming Southampton Common into a vibrant festival of family-friendly entertainment, community spirit and wellbeing.

The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of headline sponsor Persimmon Homes, alongside supporting sponsors Warner Goodman LLP, Barratt Homes, SOS, Savills, Morgan Sindall, Lee Peck Media and Scenery Solutions, whose backing helped create an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed a fantastic programme of live entertainment from DJ Krayola, Issy Somers and the Showhawk Duo, creating an electric atmosphere as participants crossed the finish line and enjoyed the celebrations.

Adding to the excitement, Olympic bronze medallist Toby Harries joined the event in partnership with Persimmon Homes, taking part in the walk, encouraging participants to stay active and look after their heart health, while also getting involved in the fun with children and families throughout the day.

Founder of GBHQ James Buckle said: “We were thrilled to help make this year’s Heart & Stroll bigger and better than last year. A core part of GBHQ’s ethos is that fitness is for everyone. We love that Heart & Stroll is an event open to all – no matter their ability. It was a pleasure to be involved and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Ben Walker at Persimmon Homes said: "Heart & Stroll brings local people together to support such an important cause. We were thrilled to back a community event that’s growing each year and raising funds to help local cardiac patients receive the very best care and support. The team at Heartbeat should be immensely proud of the final total raised and the turn out on the day.”

Toby Harries said: "Events like Heart & Stroll show that you don't have to be an elite athlete to make a difference. My stepdad has a heart condition himself so it meant a lot to me personally to support Heartbeat and its work supporting cardiac patients. This event goes to show that even a short walk in the park can bring so many health benefits with it. Small steps are what makes all the difference when it comes to good cardiac health.”

Marketing Manager and Project Lead of Heart and Stroll at Heartbeat Tanya Harder said: "The support we've received for Heart & Stroll this year has been truly incredible. From GBHQ, who helped power the event, to every participant, volunteer, performer, sponsor and supporter, each and every person played a vital role in making the day such a success. Together, we've not only helped raise awareness of the importance of heart health, but also generated vital funds that will enable Heartbeat to continue supporting cardiac patients and their families across our region when they need us most.”

Tanya continues: “This year's event means more to me than I can put into words. Just a couple of weeks before Heart & Stroll, I sadly lost my grandma. There were moments when organising and delivering the event felt incredibly difficult, but I know she would have wanted me to keep going. Seeing hundreds of people come together in support of such an important cause made every challenge worthwhile. I'd like to dedicate the success of Heart & Stroll 2026 to her memory, and I hope she would be immensely proud of what we've all achieved together.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making Heart & Stroll 2026 such a memorable and impactful event. This success belongs to our whole community, and we can't thank you enough for being part of it."

Heart & Stroll is set to return in 2027 with an official date and location to be announced soon.