TAKE HEART Noreen Hayes, manager Lidl Ballina selling a “Happy Heart” to Frances McAndrew, Mayor of Ballina at the launch of Happy Heart Weekend. Included in photo is David Muldoon, North West Regional Fundraiser, Irish Heart Foundation. Pic: Michael Donnelly
Ballina Mayor supports Happy Heart
Anna Marie Flynn
Ballina Town Mayor, Cllr Frances McAndrew, purchased the first Happy Heart of 2011 in the town – to lend her support to this year’s Irish Heart Foundation campaign.
After making the purchase at Lidl, Ballina, she urged people to support the campaign which is sponsored by Lidl Ireland with support from 2FM and the Irish Daily Star. This year the national charity hopes to raise €500,000 over the course of the Happy Heart weekend, to go towards a national heart attack awareness campaign which aims to save more lives.
Northwest Regional Fundraising Manager David Muldoon said: “Nearly everyone knows someone affected by heart attack. In fact six people die every day from it, but the good news is that you can make a difference. It’s never too late to volunteer to sell happy hearts, so even if you can spare a couple of hours, you can bring us closer to our goal. Remember, every happy heart sold could help save the life of someone you know in the near future. So come on, lend a hand and save a heart for Happy Heart Weekend!”
2011 marks the European Year of Volunteering and the Irish Heart Foundation is calling on the people of Mayo to support Happy Heart Weekend from May 12 yo 14.
Michael O’Shea, Chief Executive at the Irish Heart Foundation said: “Volunteers are at the very heart of our work and only through their efforts are we able to keep more hearts beating. In these tough times, we rely on our volunteers more than ever this Happy Heart Weekend and we hope the people of Mayo will join us once again for another heartfelt effort this May.”
To volunteer for Happy Heart Weekend in your area, contact David Muldoon on 086 3806941 or email dmuldoon@irishheart.ie.
