Bristol Heart Institute Christmas Appeal

KEEP HEARTS BEATING THIS Christmas

donate

My name is Jamie Cargill. I'm the Head of Nursing at Bristol Heart Institute.

As Christmas approaches, I’ve been thinking about the incredible community that makes the Bristol Heart Institute what it is. For so many of us, this isn’t just a hospital or a place of work: it’s where lives are saved, fears are eased and hope is restored. That’s why I want to thank you personally for supporting your hospital. Your generosity has touched countless patients and families and its impact is felt every single day. 

Patients at the launch of the new space at Bristol Heart Institute

THE DIFFERENCE YOU'VE MADE AT BRISTOL HEART INSTITUTE

Because of you, teenagers and young people facing lifelong hospital visits now have a dedicated recreational room: a calm, welcoming space where they can relax, play games and connect with others during what can be an isolating and stressful time. It’s incredible to see how this space gives them the freedom to simply be themselves, even when long hospital stays turn their world upside down. 

You’ve also helped us advance monitoring equipment that will support our surgeons during lifesaving heart bypass operations. This new technology gives real-time insights into blood flow, helping surgical teams make the safest decisions for every patient. For a patient on the operating table, this means greater precision, fewer complications and the best possible chance of recovery. 

Patient in heart pyschology appointment

HEART WARMING IMPACT

Not least, you’ve helped us care for the whole person, not just the heart. Over the past 18 months, your support has enabled us to pilot a specialist cardiac psychologist role. This service has been transformative for patients recovering from sudden cardiac events or dealing with chronic heart conditions – people who often face trauma, anxiety and fear, even after physical wounds have healed. 

“Without this service, I would still be stuck in the fear and PTSD that consumed my life for nearly two years. The guidance and direction have been revelatory beyond measure.” - Joe, a psychologist patient 

“Patients who have had psychological support are more equipped to cope with their illness in a healthy way. One patient went from being tearful at every contact to now leading an initiative to support others with his condition.” – Louise Haizelden, Arrhythmia Nurse 

help us fix broken hearts this Christmas  

Here’s the challenge: demand for this type of support is growing, and right now, we can only offer the service one day a week to a limited number of patients. That’s not enough. Every person who walks through our doors deserves care that goes beyond the physical. We treat people, not organs. 

To ensure more patients can heal emotionally as well as physically through the coming year, we need to raise £40,000. 

This Christmas, will you help us do more for the people who need us most? 

A donation today could help twice as many patients get the psychological support they need to face recovery with hope instead of fear. 

MAKE A DONATION

Thank you for everything you’ve already made possible. Together, we can make the year ahead one where every patient receives the care they truly deserve. 

Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy festive season.

  

HOW YOUR GIFT CAN HELP

Please support our Christmas appeal and help bring moment of joy, comfort and hope to patients at the Bristol Heart Institute.

£250

could improve spaces where families and young patients spend time during critical care, giving them privacy, comfort and a place to stay close to loved ones. 

£500

could help twice as many patients get the psychological support they need to face their heart condition with hope and support instead of fear. 

£1,000

could help purchase state-of-the-art equipment that enables our team at the Bristol Heart Institute to deliver the highest standards of care, reduce hospital stays and readmissions and improve patients’ quality of life. 

or MAKE A regular DONATION

   

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The Bristol Heart Institute treats 40,000 patients every year 

  • It costs £17,928 every day to care for patients in our 24-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. That’s over £6.5 million a year! 

  • Every five minutes, someone in the UK has a heart attack 

  • Your heart pumps blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels - enough to circle Earth twice! 

  • Laughing really is good for your heart - it lowers stress and relaxes blood vessels 

  • Giving is good for your heart too! Studies show generosity can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and even help you live longer. 

This Christmas, your support for the Bristol Heart Institute could warm hearts — including your own. 

Your donation today will make a big difference to patients at the Bristol Heart Institute.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

Published:

Updated:

Author: Leanne Coomber

Share this page
Manage Cookie Preferences