A corporate partnership between The British Heart Foundation and Royal Mail has enabled the charity to offer its helpline phone service free of charge for the first time since it launched 20 years ago.
The helpline, which is available five days a week, offers expert information and support about heart and circulatory diseases and their risk factors from experienced cardiac nurses. Calls to the helpline have increased by 10 per cent since 2022, the BHF said, with nurses taking an average of 400 calls a week.
Funds made available through the charity’s corporate partnership with Royal Mail have enabled the BHF to make the move. The charity announced the four-year partnership in October 2022, which aims to raise £2m before it concludes in 2026.
The BHF described the relaunch of the service as a freephone number as a “hugely significant” fundraising milestone.
Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, said: “Making our Heart Helpline free to call is a milestone celebration for the BHF.
“It’s now easier than ever for someone to ring us for information and support, and they can speak to one of our dedicated and experienced cardiac nurses.”
Greg Sage, Royal Mail’s deputy director, corporate affairs and ESG, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to make the Heart Helpline freely accessible for the British public, and brilliant to hear how it’s going to benefit individuals and families across the country.
“It’s only been made possible through the hard fundraising efforts of our colleagues here at Royal Mail.”