(Hannah Woodford from Emerald Elite VA Services LTD)
When Newport businesswoman Hannah Woodford’s life was touched by heart disease this year, she became determined to do all she could to raise funds and awareness for cardiac charity, Heartbeat.
Hannah said: “Our family recently lost a close friend, who had a massive cardiac arrest and unfortunately could not be saved. Another friend lost her father to heart disease and told me that she and her mother stayed at Heartbeat House during his treatment. They couldn’t rate it highly enough.
“I remember thinking that something this good deserves a higher profile on the island. I don’t think many people know it’s available to them.”
Hannah, who runs a virtual assistant business called Emerald Elite VA Services, found out more about Heartbeat when she met Tanya Harder, the charity’s Community Fundraising and Marketing Manager, at an Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce event.
Tanya explained how Rotary Heartbeat House provides a safe, affordable, home-away-from-home for anyone whose loved one is receiving care in the Cardiac Unit at University Hospital Southampton.
Hannah soon received her fundraising inspiration in the form of a reminder email from the organisers of the Great South Run – an annual 10-mile race in Portsmouth that takes place this year on Sunday 20th October in Portsmouth.
“Because I completed the run twice several years ago, I still get their marketing emails,” she said. “So when I saw that this year’s run was coming up, I thought – why not?”
A little out of practice, Hannah is busy training with the Caulkheads, a local running group based in Wootton, to build up her stamina. “It’s great running with others. We inspire and motivate each other.”
Tanya Harder said: “Hannah is an exceptional individual who, in just the past year, has not only launched her own business but has also made significant contributions to Heartbeat. Her dedication to enhancing the charity's profile and her efforts in securing essential donations are truly commendable. Her work will greatly benefit cardiac patients and their families from the Isle of Wight during their time of need."
Hannah will be further supporting the charity by giving a reading at Heartbeat’s Christmas service, as well as participating in the ‘Beat the Heat’ quiz night next March.
Donations to support Hannah on the Great South Run can be made here.