Billinghay heart patient stars in British Heart Foundation advert

Hayley Chew, 37, from Billinghay is calling on the public to sign up to Wear it. Beat it. after experiencing first-hand the devastating impact of heart disease.

Hayley lost her father to the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy when she was just 13 years old. The condition causes the heart wall to become thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Hayley was regularly monitored for the condition and at the age of 29 doctors found she had a leaking heart valve and mitral valve, which affected the flow of blood through her heart.

Three years later, Hayley was rushed to hospital with pain all down her left hand side and chest which lead to her having a heart valve repair operation.

Now fighting fit, Hayley and her family are supporting the BHF’s ‘Wear it. Beat it.’ campaign to get the nation wearing red on February 5 to help raise £1million to fund new research in the fight against heart disease. Hayley will feature in the charity’s advert which will run throughout January to promote the campaign. Hayley is in the final clip of the advert.

Speaking of her involvement in the advert, Hayley, who runs The Old Butcher’s Tearoom in Billinghay, said: “Last year we raised nearly £400 by holding a family walk where we all wore red and held an event in our tea room for Wear it. Beat it., so I was delighted to be asked to star in the BHF advert.

“I’m really grateful to the support the British Heart Foundation has given me. By signing up to ‘Wear it. Beat it.’ and wearing red on Friday February 5, you can help raise vital funds for research and support the seven million like me fighting heart disease.”

Hayley also did a longer feature film of her story for the BHF website, which you can also find here.

Fancy a cheery red tea break at work, a yummy red bake sale after school or a jolly red happy hour at home with your friends? Whether you think up your own idea or pinch one of our reddy-made ones, it’s the taking part and showing your heart that matters.

To find out more or to sign up to ‘Wear it. Beat it.’ visit www.bhf.org.uk/red to get your free fundraising pack, full of reddy-made ideas to make the most of your event.