Manager Gary Johnson has helped launch the new Bristol Heart Institute (BHI) Appeal that aims to raise £830,000.
Above & Beyond, a charity that raises funds for Bristol city centre hospitals, celebrated World Heart Day last Friday by launching the appeal, with the help of Robin's boss Johnson.
Johnson, who underwent triple-heart-bypass surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute in March, met with Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Alan Bryan – father of Bristol City footballer Joe Bryan – and Above & Beyond’s new CEO Paul Kearney at the BHI to show his support.
Every seven minutes, someone in the UK will have a heart attack and 435 people will die every day due to cardiovascular disease.
As one of the leading cardiac centres in the country, the BHI treats 40,000 patients each year, performing over 500 keyhole surgeries a month and 17,000 diagnostic scans annually, at a cost of £46 million.
The Bristol Heart Institute Appeal will raise funds to purchase the latest surgical and diagnostic equipment and to improve facilities to meet the growing demand for its services.
Projects and equipment that require funding include a new echocardiography facility, so that some of the sickest patients are no longer moved between the BHI and Bristol Royal Infirmary when at their most vulnerable, ultrasound equipment for the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit to provide urgent bedside diagnosis, and heart valve devices to support very high risk patients who have suffered heart failure and other serious heart conditions.
Gary Johnson said: “I can’t say how much I appreciate the amazing care and support I received from all the staff during my time at the Bristol Heart Institute. I wouldn’t be here without them and I can’t thank them enough.
"It’s an unbelievable service so I was delighted to come down to tell everyone how important it is to get behind this appeal so that staff can carry on doing fantastic work.”
Founded in 1974, Above & Beyond is the local charity fundraising for all nine city centre hospitals, many of which are specialist centres for the South West region. Each year Above & Beyond raises £3m to make a real difference to patient care and hospital experience with a focus on creating welcoming environments, supporting staff training, providing the latest equipment and funding innovative research.
For more information about the Bristol Heart Institute Appeal click HERE