Nuneaton lad turns Town Hall red for charity awareness
Feb 10 2012
MANY people will have painted the town red on a night out, but one little boy has managed to turn the Town Hall scarlet to help raise money for charity.
Two-year-old Harvey Beesley helped to launch British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) National Heart Month by switching on the lights that turned the offices of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council red.
Harvey, who was born with a rare type of congenital heart disease called truncus arteriosis, was joined by his mother Lucy, who herself is now a volunteer for the charity, for the unveiling of the lights.
Harvey had his first operation at just two weeks old and two more were necessary to close holes in his heart and to insert a new artificial valve.
The Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, Councillor Neil Phillips, said: “It’s wonderful to see the Town Hall lighting up red to highlight the campaign. I hope that people who live in the area, and visitors, will admire this sight and remember that the BHF needs their support to fight the country’s biggest killer.”
Donna Stokes, BHF’s fundraising volunteer manager, said: “Nuneaton and Bedworth will see 138 men and women on average die from heart disease this year. Cardiovascular disease can affect anyone, young and old, perhaps a baby born with a hole in the heart or a friend or colleague who suffers a heart attack.
“Whether you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol we are working to ensure these conditions can one day be eliminated.
“That’s why the BHF wants to see people in Nuneaton and Bedworth get behind their Heart Town and join in National Wear Red Day, and organising their own red fundraising events.”
As part of National Heart Month, the BHF is encouraging everyone to join in National Wear Red Day on Friday February 24 or organise their own fundraising event any time in February.
For a free fundraising kit or more information go to bhf.org.uk/red or call 0121 353 2087.
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