A massive thank you to one of our fantastic supporters, Christine McNicholl from Newtownabbey, who has bravely shared her story with us.❤️ Best of luck to Christine for taking on the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday, to raise vital funds for our lifesaving research into better treatments and cures for CVD.

Two of NI's leading business figures have spoken candidly about how cardiovascular disease has severely impacted their busy careers. Manufacturing NI Chief Executive Stephen Kelly and former Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen sat on our iconic red bench, which was placed at Titanic Belfast, to share their individual experiences. Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease. Donate now to keep Northern Ireland beating - visit bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/in-you…

A life-saving device at Garrison & Lough Melvin Anglers Association has been featured in our list of 10 most extraordinary defibrillators in the UK, having been crowned the most westerly. There are currently just under 123,000 defibrillators registered on The Circuit. The Circuit provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. Help The Circuit reach 125,000 registered defibrillators by registering your device today. It's free, quick, and simple to do at thecircuit.uk/

We are calling for the introduction of legislation following the consultation on price promotion legislation on unhealthy foods by the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency. Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Liam Duggan, said: “This consultation is welcome, but it must be the start of decisive action. The next Executive must deliver legislation to restrict price and location-based promotions of high fat, sugar and salt products (HFSS). Anything less is unacceptable. “This legislation would bring Northern Ireland in line with neighbouring jurisdictions in England, Scotland and Wales. The people of Northern Ireland deserve the same protections from an unhealthy food environment that encourages overconsumption of HFSS food and drink which is driving the obesity crisis. “Living with overweight or obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. An estimated 1 in 8 cardiovascular disease deaths in Northern Ireland is associated with a high body mass index. “To tackle obesity, we need a concerted, whole-system approach across all Executive Departments. Price promotion legislation is just one action and more needs to be done to deliver the promises of the Healthy Futures obesity strategy.”

Our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme is now open! Check eligibility and apply for a BHF-funded defibrillator for your community up until February 2027 – by doing so, you could save a life: bhf.org.uk/fundeddefib

Such wonderful news! 💗 Dáithí and his family’s ongoing campaign has brought hope to so many people and helped save lives and now he has received the greatest gift. We’re so grateful to the donor’s family for making that selfless decision. BHF has been a longstanding supporter of Dáithí and his family’s tireless campaigning, which directly led to the implementation of ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in Northern Ireland, establishing a soft opt-out organ donation system. Under this law, all adults in Northern Ireland are considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. As Dáithí begins his recovery journey, we encourage everyone to learn more about what the law change means, consider their organ donation decision, record that decision, and share it with family and friends. 🙏

Calling all runners! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ BHF NI has charity places available for this year's Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday 20 September. Experience the thrill of running through the vibrant and historic city of Belfast while raising vital funds to support lifesaving heart research. Whether you're taking on your first marathon or aiming for a personal best, we'd love to have you on #TeamBHF. Every mile you run and every pound you raise will help fund groundbreaking research into cardiovascular disease, giving hope to the 230,000 people in NI affected by these conditions.❤️ For more info, contact our Fundraising Manager, Órla on [email protected]

We are calling on the NI Executive to urgently deliver its actions within the ‘Healthy Futures’ obesity strategy, including publishing a consultation to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods. This comes on the back of the announcement by the Department of Health of the rollout of a Regional Obesity Management Service this autumn which we are highlighting “does not go far enough” and warning that if further urgent action isn’t taken, obesity-related deaths will continue to rise. Our head in NI, Fearghal McKinney, said: “While we welcome the announcement of the first phase of the obesity programme as a significant step forward to support people living with obesity, this alone does not go far enough in providing a long-term and multi-department government solution. “Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of the increasing number of deaths in Northern Ireland. “This announcement must be accompanied by urgent delivery of actions within the Healthy Futures obesity strategy, including publishing a consultation to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods.” Fearghal added: “Without further action to prevent obesity and support healthier choices, obesity prevalence and the number of cardiovascular deaths associated with excess weight will continue to rise.”

An iconic BHF red bench has been unveiled at Queen’s University Medical Centre, to recognise graduate Karl Murray who has congenital heart disease. Karl had lifesaving surgery at just six months old and recently celebrated his 30th birthday. Read more: tinyurl.com/22zj54sp

Every day, around 12 people in NI die from cardiovascular disease, with the condition affecting more than 230,000 people here. Our #redbenchdiaries visited Affidea Stadium, home of @UlsterRugby, where Simon Best and Kevin McCloy shared the impact of living with cardiovascular disease.

We had a great week at the Balmoral Show, offering blood pressure testing on our red bench as part of Farm Families health checks and hosting a retail stand to showcase the offering in our shops across NI. We enjoyed talking to show-goers, supporters, MLAs and Ministers about the importance of 'knowing your numbers' as part of #MayMeasurementMonth. #BalmoralShow #bloodpressure #cardiovasculardisease #knowyournumbers

We were pleased to speak directly to the Chair of the Health Committee @mcguigan_philip and Health Spokesperson @LindaDillon81 about the urgent need to tackle rising cardiovascular disease in NI. #AF2026

We welcomed the opportunity to engage with elected representatives at the @sinnfeinireland Ard Fheis on Saturday to discuss ways to work together to tackle NI’s heart health crisis and reduce health inequalities. #AF2026 @JohnODowdSF @CaralNiChuilin @PaulMaskeyMP

An iconic BHF red bench has been unveiled in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, to recognise a Co. Down woman who had a pacemaker fitted at just 20 years of age, due to an underlying heart condition. Now 23, Caoimhe, who has recently finished a master’s in public health specialising in heart health, is keen to share her story to advocate for young people with heart conditions. #RedBenchDiaries #keepnorthernirelandbeating

We’re delighted to be at the @BSHeartFailure MDT Meeting on its first ever visit to Belfast. Looking forward to hearing about the latest updates in heart failure care. #BSHMDT26

Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease, with the condition affecting more than 230,000 people here. Our #redbenchdiaries visited Stormont, where @deborah_cheryl and @mcguigan_philip shared the impact of living with cardiovascular disease.

Our head in NI @FearghalTMcK spoke to @irish_news about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease here and the work BHF does to support the 230,000 people in Northern Ireland living with it: irishnews.com/news/northern-…

We welcomed the opportunity at the @allianceparty conference to discuss ways to work together to tackle Northern Ireland’s heart health crisis and reduce cardiovascular health inequalities. #APNI26 @SianAlliance @stewartcdickson @connieegan94 @JohnBlairAPNI

We were pleased to attend the @allianceparty conference to engage directly with elected representatives on the urgent need to tackle rising cardiovascular disease in NI, so that everyone can have a healthier heart for longer. #APNI26 @NualaMcAllister @DannyDonnelly1 @PaulaJaneB