Fundraiser night raises £450 for Rochdale Heartbeat

A fundraiser night in honour of Rochdale Heartbeat’s founder, the late Sue Ridgard, raised £450 for the charity, which supports local heart patients.

The event at the Royal Toby on 27 October saw 70 members and supporters of Rochdale Heartbeat enjoy a three-course meal, raffle and dancing.

The night was dedicated to the charity’s founder, Sue Ridgard, who passed away earlier this year.
 

Read more: Founding member of Rochdale Heartbeat and former Woman of Rochdale Susan Ridgard diesPublished: 14 April 2023

A minute’s silence was observed in Sue’s memory followed by a toast.

Dedicated to Heartbeat, Sue was always the first to attend fundraising events and presentations, and had been its secretary since 2002.

 

 

In 2010 Sue was voted Rochdale’s Woman of the Year due to all that she had achieved for Heartbeat, and, under Sue’s guidance, Rochdale Heartbeat was awarded the 2021 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for all the work and effort of its volunteers.

 

Read more: Rochdale Heartbeat and the Friends of Hopwood Park honoured with Queen's Award for Voluntary ServicePublished: 02 June 2021
Sue Ridgard - Woman of the Year 2010 Published: 21 April 2010

 

Pam Wiseman, of Rochdale Heartbeat, said: “Everyone enjoyed the night. Sue would have loved it; no doubt she would have been looking down on us.”

Rochdale Heartbeat provides a supported programme for heart patients after their discharge from NHS care (12 weeks post-op) including a weekly gentle exercise programme, availability of professionals to discuss any worries and the opportunity to meet other patients who have undergone similar heart procedures.

It was founded in 1988 and became a charity in 1990, organising social evenings, healthy lifestyle events, relevant interesting speakers and fundraising events.

Since inception, Rochdale Heartbeat has raised over £350,000 and has donated various items of medical equipment to both Royal Oldham and Fairfield hospitals, as well as donating defibrillators to sports venues, gyms, community halls and churches throughout the borough of Rochdale and surrounding area.

Outside the organised classes, support is offered to patients, whether they are still in hospital, attending out-patient clinics or back home in the community. This support is offered by a variety of people, including those who are medically qualified, those who have experienced heart complaints and their attendant problems and others, who in some way can offer relevant help and support.