Eccles turned a redder shade of, er, red today to help celebrate Wear Red Day to support the fabulous work of the British Heart Foundation.
Kind-hearted Helen Cunliffe, Assistant Manager of the British Heart Foundation shop in Eccles, invited in pupils from nearby St Andrews Primary School to help raise money for the charity.
Local councillors Peter Wheeler and Lisa Stone joined the gang to help with collecting donations.
The shop was festooned with red balloons and a stall set up outside gave out information leaflets, donation bags and even hot drinks and sweets to passers by.
“We have had a fantastic turnout and it’s been brilliant to see everyone come together and raise awareness of heart disease,” said Helen.
The schoolchildren raised a staggering £125 by making donations and in return were able to wear an item of red clothing for the day.
A dozen excited kids attended the shop under the careful supervison of Miss Sims, Head of Year Six.
“The children loved dressing up and were all eager to get involved,” she told us.
“Helen Cunliffe’s son attends the school and he was so keen to go to his mum’s shop and help out, the kids have been fantastic and I am really proud of all of them.”
Councillors Stone and Wheeler got into the swing of the event by donning red t-shirts and waving the collection buckets to help swell the coffers for the shop’s charity.
“I think its great what the shop is doing,” said Cllr Stone.
“The people of Eccles have a great community spirit and have shown that today.”
“It is so important that people are made aware of the dangers of heart problems and how they can be avoided, heart and circulatory disease takes the lives of more than 400 people in the UK each day.
“I am Vice Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and know just how important it is for people to be aware of healthy living and I am more than happy to help out today.”
It was encouraging to see people walking past the shop taking the time to not only donate cash but to chat to members of staff and take away information leaflets, and the sight of so many small children rattling collection tins was ‘heartwarming’ to say the least.
Denise Brown, store manager for The British Heart Foundation, said: “I am delighted to see so many people here today and its great that the local schools are getting involved and we are really getting our message across today in a fun and positive way.”
If you would like to help the British Heart Foundation shop in Eccles we were told that they are always on the lookout for both volunteers for the shop and donations.
If you are interested please feel free to call in the shop on Eccles precinct, just ask a member of staff who will be more than happy to help you.
All pictures by Albert@itookyourpic.com
