Residents of Reynolds Court in Ross, supported by friends and family, have raised over £1000 for the British Heart Foundation's Herefordshire Heartbeat Appeal. And on Wednesday, February 3rd they presented their cheque to Clare Cassidy Fundraising Volunteer Manager for the BHF appeal.

Doreen Lusty, one of the residents and a keen supporter of the BHF told The Ross Gazette:?"We have had a year long fundraising campaign which included various activities such as collecting pennies, selling clothes and organising coffee mornings and raffles. We are delighted to have raised this sum of money for this local appeal."

Clare said: "I am amazed at the sum of money that the residents of Reynolds Court have raised, they are brilliant fundraisers.

"In October 2008, we launched the Heartbeat Appeal, to raise £98,000 to purchase an Echocardiograph Machine for the Heart and Lung Department at Hereford County Hospital. An Echo Machine provides a moving image of the internal structure of the heart and works in a similar way to an ultrasound used to monitor pregnancies. The echo scan is completely painless and provides detailed information on the structure, valves and pumping action of the heart. It is an essential tool for detecting and monitoring a range of heart conditions and is of great assistance to medical staff with making decisions about the treatment and care of heart patients.

"The Appeal total now stands at just over £69,000 – so we still have £30,000 to find."

Anybody who wishes to make a donation to the Appeal or help with fundraising can contact Clare on 01562 740081.