Action Heart race in bid to raise funds for charity

A 500-strong field of entrants is expected to take part in this year's Action Heart race on February 22, which will be raising money for the Action Heart centre, based in a purpose built building in the south block at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley.

Race organiser Paul Davies-Hale said the annual run would be following a route of left hand turns, starting out from the hospital site, then proceeding along the edge of Dudley, down Himley Road, Coopers Bank and Tansey Green Road before returning to the hospital.

He added this year's race, which aims to raise £10,000, would be extra special because it will be celebrating the 25th anniversary since the event first started in 1978.

"It has been bigger in the past in terms of numbers taking part, but it is important that we keep it moving and if we get 500 entries, that is a significant amount and with the events throughout the year, it is part of our regular calendar, so to keep it going is obviously very important," Mr Davies-Hale said.

Many of the participants will be staff members at the hospital, while poignantly, the course rate will be manned by 40 stewards who have received help from Action Heart.

Fundraisers from the charity have taken part in the London Marathon, while a number of other events are held throughout the year, including a 5km run at Baggeridge Country Park and a 'Suicide Six' multi-terrain challenge that takes place in November.

The charity provides the largest cardiac rehabilitation programme in the country and the money raised during the year pays for heart rate monitors and gym equipment.

Mr Davies-Hale said Action Heart also provides support to patients with heart conditions who have been referred to the charity by GPs and at any one time, 700 people receive help from Action Heart.

For more information about the run, visit www.actionheartrunning.com.