Rochdale Heartbeat celebrates 25 years

Rochdale Heartbeat presenting an anniversary defibrillator to Rochdale Cricket Club

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Rochdale Heartbeat is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. The charity, which started in September 1988, is a self-supporting group which helps to encourage and support heart patients and their families during recovery.

The group meets once a fortnight at Callaghan House, Heywood and offers a gentle exercise programme for those who want to take part or just a friendly chat over a cup of tea.

Secretary of the group, Sue Ridgard said: “We are a very sociable group.”

“It has been nice to see the group grow over the years” added Sue. “It originally started with a few people and then we got charity status and now we are celebrating 25 years.”

Rochdale Heartbeat also fundraises to raise money to buy equipment to help treat heart patients.

Sue said: “Over the years we have raised about £300,000 to but heart equipment. We have done everything from tombolas to our annual brass band concert.”

Most recently the group has bought eleven defibrillators and donated them to sports clubs in the area. This was decided after Bolton footballer Fabrice Muamba collapsed during a football match and was helped with a defibrillator.

“We usually donate equipment to the hospitals but we thought about doing this after what happened with the Bolton footballer,” said Sue.

To celebrate their 25 years, the group held a charity ball in April and will be holding an annual party on 7 September at the Masonic Hall in Rochdale. The group will also be holding a brass band concert at the Gracie Fields Theatre on 14 September. Tickets are £10 per person.

Sue, who was voted woman of the year in 2010, added: “Our main aim has always been to help, support and encourage heart patients. We like to show that it’s not all doom and gloom.”