Who is your heart hero? 2016 awards now open

Do you know a Heart Hero? For the first time members of the public are being invited to nominate the people they believe deserve a Heart Hero Award from British Heart Foundation Scotland.
Nichola Dougan (centre) with BHF Chief Executive Simon Gillespie.Nichola Dougan (centre) with BHF Chief Executive Simon Gillespie.
Nichola Dougan (centre) with BHF Chief Executive Simon Gillespie.

The charity’s Heart Hero Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contribution of individuals and groups who are fighting for every heartbeat in Scotland, such as heart patients, fundraisers, campaigners, scientists and health professionals.

People like Nichola Dougan from Glasgow. She scooped the Inspiration Award this year for her commitment to raising awareness of heart disease in children, after her baby daughter Scarlett was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when she was just four months old.

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Since then, Nichola and her husband Peter have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

There are five award categories: Inspiration Award; Young Hero Award; Innovation Award; Influencing Award and Fighting Spirit Award.

James Cant, Director of BHF Scotland explains: “Since I joined the charity in August I’ve been blown away by the passion, dedication and enthusiasm shown by every one of our supporters, be they fundraisers, researchers, campaigners or health professionals.

“Coronary heart disease is still Scotland’s biggest killer and I bet that practically every family has been affected one way or another.

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“Look around and ask yourself who has impressed you with their drive and determination to fight for every heartbeat?

“For 2016 we’ve introduced a new award called the Fighting Spirit Award and this is specifically for people who are affected by congenital heart disease, like Nichola Dougan and her family. This award might go to an inspirational young person who is living with congenital heart disease, or to a group of people who are supporting families who have lost a child to congenital heart disease.

Nominations should be made online at bhf.org.uk/heartheroes and all entries will be considered.

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