Fighting for every heartbeat in Wales

Celebrating my 1 year anniversary as part of BHF Cymru team and the wider BHF Family - British Heart Foundation. I had so many more photos I could have added and more importantly, amazing people who I've met or chatted to over the last 12 months that don't appear here but who very much motivate and inspire me every day.

The research, that our supporters play such a vital part in helping to fund, is truly jaw dropping, life-changing science. It’s amazing beyond words. The fact one of our biggest funded projects underway is called CureHeart tells you just how close the BHF is to innovations that will completely change the lives of so many families now and in the future. I feel super proud to be a tiny part of that massive momentum and its all thanks to the amazing volunteers, supporters and corporate partners that we work with who make such a difference.

I imagine when my contacts, friends or family see the things I do that I call 'work' they probably laugh and wonder exactly what my job is and what I do every day. I do sometimes too - being a fundraiser takes you to some bonkers but brilliant places!

But don't be fooled, this job is hard work, it's non stop, you can't easily switch off, you're constantly aware of how emotional and important these events are for your supporters, you're always thinking of the loved ones they're doing this in memory of and how you can add value. The job is never, ever done because there's always an 'ask' to make, an opportunity to research, an event you could be at or promotion you could be doing to amplify the charity. And as with my colleagues all across the charity sector, we are being stretched and pulled in many directions, taking on extra work, putting your hand up to help whenever you can and you do it because you really care.

I’ve been a Fundraiser for almost a decade now and whilst there’s guidelines to follow and rules to adhere to, and best practices that you pick up along the way… there’s no big Fundraiser’s Manual to follow, no To Do List template that tells you how to do this successfully. The one thing I’ve learned is that if you build and nurture relationships with people who are passionate about the charity, and keep those people close, everything else will follow. And you'll be surrounded by all the inspiration that you need, knowing how much it means to those families.

And then, thankfully, through all the hard work, FUNdraising lives up to its name and you get to experience some really FUN days and be lucky enough to have a job that you love, colleagues that are supportive but also hilarious and volunteers who become friends.

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If you’re inspired by the incredible BHF research and want to get involved, please give me a call 07890 910600 or email: [email protected]