IT is the year of the ‘heart’ for many schools as they join forces with Cardiac Rehab to promote healthy choices.

As part of the Staywell Schools Campaign, Alton area schools have been working with the specialists at Cardiac Rehab to look at exercise, nutrition, and the science behind the heart.

Taking the lead, Amery Hill School has used its knowledge and ideas from Cardiac Rehab to train leaders within the infant, junior and primary schools to create activities to increase the health of the community’s hearts.

And on May 11, schools had a ‘wear red day’ to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Alton-based charity.

Children heard how Dr Hugh Bethell, an Altonian, created something special and how, by hard work and resilience, the Cardiac Rehab Centre on Chawton Park Road, Alton, has had a powerful impact on so many lives.

The schools – St Mary’s Bentworth, Wootey junior and infant schools and St Lawrence School - all in Alton - raised more than £500 between them, for which the charity was extremely grateful.

Denise Ellis, from Cardiac Rehab, said: “A huge thank you from Cardiac Rehab for the funds raised at your wear red days last week.

“I can advise you that a grand total of £564.87 was raised to help us help people with, and at risk of, heart disease.#

“Thank you again so much!”