ALTON Cardiac Rehab is wishing the community “a healthy start to 2018” with a prompt to consider joining its successful Staywell programme.

Amanda Denton, the charity’s fundraising officer, said: “As we all know January is the month of New Year’s resolutions. Many of these focus on weight and diet, which is good news for heart health, as increased physical activity and achieving a healthy weight can cut your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.”

Located behind Alton Sports Centre on Chawton Park Road, Cardiac Rehab offers a Staywell programme designed for people who may be at risk of cardiovascular disease. These risks could include high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.

Amanda continued: “The aim of the Staywell programme is to introduce high risk individuals to a combination of health education and exercise to improve their wellbeing and ultimately lengthen their lives.

“Cardiac Rehab is here to help you to look after your heart, which includes getting active, eating healthily and controlling your weight. Members of the public who are interested in the scheme should, in the first instance, consult their GP or contact Dr Sally Turner at the Cardiac Rehab Centre, who will be happy to chat with them.”

A town charity, Cardiac Rehab needs £250,000 each year to continue doing what it does and currently more than £140,000 of that has to be generated through fundraising and events, donations, legacies, regular giving, and those willing to raise money on the charity’s behalf.

Amanda added: “The charity can and wants to do more to help improve the heart health, fitness and wellbeing of those who have and those at risk of heart disease. To be able to do this we need to raise additional funds. So please ‘have a heart’ and help us with your time, money or expertise. We are a small team and we need your help.”

The first big fundraising event of the year is the Heart Ball, to be held on Saturday, February 24, at the Alton House Hotel. Starting at 7pm with a drinks reception, the event offers a three-course meal, with entertainment including a string quartet, casino tables, auction, live music, a magician and disco.

Tickets, priced £55 each or £500 for a table of 10, are available from the Rehab Centre on 01420 544794, or at cardiac-rehab.co.uk.