Heart transplant patient wins award for ‘Outstanding Service’ to cardiac charity, Heartbeat

A heart transplant patient and former NHS worker has been given an award for his outstanding service to Southampton based cardiac charity, Heartbeat.?

Robbie Burns, 52 from Twyford was born with a congenital heart condition and in 2020 he underwent a heart transplant in Newcastle.

Robbie has been a great supporter of the charity and is now this year’s recipient of the “Cherida Patchett Award”.

The charity provides support for newborns, children and adults diagnosed with congenital and cardiovascular diseases primarily by supporting the work of the Wessex Cardiac Unit based at University Southampton Hospital. It’s through fundraisers and supporters like Robbie, that means Heartbeat can continue this work.

Robbie said: "I am delighted and humbled to receive the award. Heartbeat is an amazing charity which provides unique support to heart patients and families across the Wessex region and beyond.? Supporting the charity is a pleasure and I am proud to have recently been appointed as a trustee"

Among Robbie’s fundraising endeavours, in 2021 he organised a walk of 15 miles from his home in Winchester along the Itchen Way and ended at Heartbeat House. It was the furthest he had walked, and with a new heart!

Robbie was joined along the way by family, friends and former colleagues in the Wessex Cardiac Centre and his clinicians from the cardiac unit in Southampton and Newcastle.

Speaking of Robbie’s hard work for the charity, CEO of Heartbeat, Mark Ind, FIH said: “This is a very well-earned award. Robbie has been an excellent supporter of our charity and achieved some incredible things, as well as being an inspiration to others.

“Our "Cherida Patchett Award"?is very special to us as a charity. It is presented in memory of Cherida Patchett who founded the Wessex Heartbeat Southampton Support group, Cherida tirelessly fundraised for Wessex Heartbeat for many years through?the group.”

To commemorate Cherida’s tireless fundraising efforts after she passed away in 2002 her daughter, ?Jane Patchett produced?the idea of the award in memory of her mother.

Heartbeat was delighted to do this, Mark said: “We wanted to recognise the people who have provided?outstanding support to Wessex Heartbeat and show our appreciation. We are always grateful to our supporters.”

As well as raising money that goes towards research and specific projects, funds also go to Heartbeat House. It is a facility run by the charity, providing free accommodation to families of patients undergoing heart surgery or interventions at the Wessex Cardiac Unit.

This facility is situated near the University Hospital Southampton, and is a lifeline for families, including those who travel from?right across the South of England for treatment in one of the UKs leading cardiac centres of excellence.

To find out more about how you can get involved and support Heartbeat please visit, www.heartbeat.co.uk