Popular UK gym chain PureGym has raised an incredible £1 million for life-saving research into heart and circulatory diseases.

PureGym Partnership

In 2022, we entered into a unique partnership with PureGym to help raise vital funds for heart research, building on our shared mission to advance the nation’s health with every heartbeat. The partnership also aims to educate people about how to prevent, treat and manage heart disease.

There are currently around 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory disease, making it the world’s leading killer of both men and women.

The gym chain, which is celebrating reaching a staggering £1 million milestone, is encouraging staff and members alike to take part in fundraising events such as the Hearts & Minds Relay.

So far, we’ve seen PureGym install Recycle for Research donation boxes in more than 370 clubs, provide free in-gym blood pressure testing for members, and install defibrillators in all gyms. We have helped people enroll in The Circuit, a national defibrillator network. This is the largest number of defibrillators ever uploaded to the circuit by a gym and demonstrates PureGym’s commitment to helping improve cardiac arrest survival rates in the UK.

Rebecca Passmore, Group Chief Operating Officer at PureGym, said: At PureGym, we recognize the important role exercise plays in maintaining a healthy heart and helping people live happier, healthier lives. We are determined to work with her BHF to protect her heart health. We would like to thank all our staff and members for their generous donations to help change the lives of millions of people affected by heart and circulatory disease. ”

This partnership also led to the creation of the innovative Healthy Hearts Programme, a free health and fitness program on the PureGym app. With over 75,000 users since its launch in July, the program offers varying levels of exercise from PureGym’s fitness experts, advice from BHF cardiac nurses, and a selection of heart-healthy recipes from BHF nutritionists. be done.

Max’s point of view

Heart patient Max Jermy, 28, is an enthusiastic supporter of the partnership. Max was diagnosed with the inherited heart muscle disease that tragically took his father’s life when he was just 13 years old and understands the impact that PureGym’s fundraising has on heart research and treatment. . Max is one of 260,000 people in the UK living with a genetic heart disease.

He said: “Significant funding like this is so important to BHF research. My cardiologist is a BHF-funded professor who has been a great help in managing the risks of my condition. I also know that he is currently working on finding a cure for my disease thanks to BHF funding.

“I have an ICD, which is a small defibrillator that goes under the skin and gives me a shock if my heart rhythm becomes abnormal. This has happened to me several times. , I’m so grateful that I was able to do that.”

Max is an avid sportsman with a successful career as a mountain biker and hockey player, but sadly his heart condition often deteriorates due to strenuous exercise. It is Max’s dream that BHF-funded research will help him live a more normal life and “just go for a run”.

Thank you to the CEO

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, said: “We are extremely grateful to PureGym for raising £1 million to further our ground-breaking research. “Thanks to the life-saving measures they took, including introducing patients, teaching CPR, and conducting blood pressure tests.” demonstrates their commitment to inspiring a healthier nation, one beat at a time.

“Partnerships like PureGym are vital to the BHF and allow us to save and improve the lives of people like Max and their families. We are thrilled that this partnership can continue in the new year and build even more vitality. We’re very excited to fund groundbreaking heart and circulatory research. ”

Learn more about the BHF and PureGym partnership here.