‘I would like to congratulate British Heart Foundation NI on reaching their twentieth year in Bangor. The BHF NI do a tremendous job in supporting lifesaving research to beat heartbreak forever and invest in much needed research to help tackle heart disease. I am proud to lend my support to the British Heart Foundation and join the fight against Heart Disease, which continues to be a very real and growing problem right across Northern Ireland. I would like to commend BHF NI who play such an important role in tackling cardiovascular disease through research and public awareness; promoting measures to reduce the risk of heart disease.

The shop plays a crucial role within the North Down community, providing employment and volunteer opportunities. Our shops also make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year in the UK. We can all take simple practical steps to reduce the risk of CVD through healthier lifestyle choices, better diets and regular exercise. Another issue which continues to be highlighted is the need for defibrillators to be readily available within our town centres, I often hear personal stories about how people’s lives have been saved through having a defibrillator in the right place at the right time and also someone competent to use it.’