A dedicated fundraiser and heart failure patient is hoping to paint the town red to raise money for the British Heart Foundation’s life saving research, by getting businesses in Douglas to Wear it. Beat it. next February 5th.

Jill Pugh, from Ballasalla in the Isle of Man, was 50 when she found out she had been living all her life with the rare heart condition Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries, meaning the two lower chambers of her heart were the wrong way around.

The condition, which affects less than 1% of children born with a heart defect, was undiagnosed for so long that Jill, now 52, is in heart failure and will need a heart transplant to replace her damaged heart.

Determined to turn her diagnosis into something positive, Jill set up a fundraising group and raised over ?1,500 for the British Heart Foundation by getting staff at Lloyds Bank to take part in Wear it. Beat it. earlier this year.

Now the dedicated fundraiser is calling on everyone across the Isle of Man to take part and show their support by wearing red on February 5th. To mark the occasion, she’s encouraging businesses in Strand Street, in Douglas, to hold a red event to try and literally paint the town red and help raise money for the BHF’s vital work.

Jill said: “Finding out that I had this condition and would need a heart transplant was absolutely devastating. It was like a steamroller had hit me. It’s an isolating, debilitating, frustrating disease that can strike anyone, any age at any time.

“The British Heart Foundation is extremely close to my heart. I’m so passionate about raising money for their research so that one day we can help find a cure for heart failure and beat heart disease.

“Without our support that cannot happen. That’s why I’d urge everyone in the Isle of Man to wear red on February 5th to help make a difference and support this important cause. If we got all the shops in Strand Street to hold a red event, imagine what a sight that would be!”

There are around 7million people fighting a daily battle with cardiovascular disease across the UK. Each year heart and circulatory conditions, which include heart attacks and stroke, claim the lives of around 155,000 people.

The BHF funds around ?100million of new lifesaving research every year which is central to discovering vital treatments for people living with heart and circulatory conditions in the Isle of Man and across the UK.

By signing up to Wear it. Beat it. you can help power more life saving discoveries. Whether you choose to go all out or just wear a splash of red, join the fun across the UK by organising an event this February to show your support. It’s a great way to get friends, family or work colleagues together and help make a difference to millions.

Since 2009 the campaign has raised over ?6million towards new cardiovascular science. Last year, an amazing 23,000 people took part in Wear it. Beat it. The BHF is calling for even more of you to get involved to help us raise ?1million in total next year!

Sign up online at www.bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 3300645 and get your free fundraising pack to help you get started.

Fancy a cheery red tea break at work, a yummy red bake sale after school or a jolly red happy hour at home with your friends? Whether you think up your own idea or pinch one of our reddy-made ones, it’s the taking part and showing your heart that matters.

Don’t forget to put yourself and your friends in the picture and share your photos on our Wear It. Beat It. photo wall to inspire more people to get involved.

Tristam Jones, Head of Mass Participation at the BHF, said: “We are calling on people in the Isle of Man to get ahead of the game and start planning their Wear it. Beat it. event for February. Our life saving research is powered by your support and every pound raised will help us change the lives of millions living with heart and circulatory conditions.”