February is Heart Month, an annual campaign led by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness of heart and circulatory disease and to support lifesaving research. This year, Swim England North East is proud to stand with the BHF for another year and encourage our community to get involved in Heart Month initiatives, support family and friends affected by heart disease and take positive steps for their own heart health.
Why Heart Month Matters
Heart and circulatory disease remains one of the UK’s leading health challenges, affecting millions of people across the country. The British Heart Foundation funds research, supports families, and campaigns for better heart health for all.
During Heart Month, the focus is on promoting awareness, encouraging active lifestyles and supporting fundraising efforts that directly contribute to research breakthroughs and patient support services.
Join the BHF Walk for Hearts
One of the key events this Heart Month is the BHF Walk for Hearts, a virtual fundraising walk that invites people of all ages and abilities to take steps that make a difference.
Participants can complete their walk at a time and place that suits them, whether that’s around the local park, along the coast, or even during a swim session at their local pool. It’s a flexible, inclusive way to get active while raising funds for heart research.
Learn more and register here:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/events/virtual/walk-for-hearts
Swim England North East encourages clubs, members, and supporters to form walking teams, set personal goals and share your progress on social media to inspire others.
Ways to Support Heart Month
If walking isn’t your preferred way to participate, there are many other ways to show support throughout February:
1. Fundraise in Your Community
Organise a swim-a-thon, family fun day, quiz night, or coffee morning at your club to raise funds for BHF research.
2. Share Heart Health Information
Use your club’s newsletter, social channels, or noticeboards to share heart health facts, BHF resources, and personal stories that resonate with your community.
3. Take On a Personal Challenge
Set a fitness challenge for Heart Month, it could be swimming a certain distance, improving your stroke technique over February, or committing to daily steps.
4. Donate Directly to the BHF
Support the BHF’s vital work with a one-off or monthly donation. Every contribution helps fund pioneering research and support services:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/support-our-campaigns/heart-month
Together, We Can Make an Impact
Swim England North East believes that sport and activity play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing. By supporting Heart Month, we can help drive awareness of cardiovascular health, encourage active lifestyles and raise funds for research that saves lives.
Join us this February in supporting the British Heart Foundation Heart Month campaign… every step, swim and share counts.
Be sure to tag us and the British Heart Foundation on social media on how you are supporting this year!
