Kind students' donations help raise nearly £17,000 for heart charity

Turning pre-loved items into lifesaving funds, the University community helped donate an estimated £16,995 of items for British Heart Foundation (BHF) retail channels over the past year. That meant a total of 9,000kg of items, roughly the same weight as an African male grey elephant, was saved from the waste stream. 

Donations were collected throughout the year as part of the University’s Moving Out campaign, which supports BHF’s #PackForGood initiative, aiming to divert waste, reduce carbon emissions and encourage charitable giving within communities. 

Amy Butt, Sustainability Engagement Co-ordinator at the University of Chester, said: "We have worked with British Heart Foundation to support their #PackForGood campaign for many years.  

“The University community was able to minimise waste and reduce carbon emissions by donating books, crockery and other household items. These donations also really illustrated our students' kindness and desire to support an incredible cause. We look forward to continue working with the British Heart Foundation over the next academic year." 

Dan Ward, University Account Executive at British Heart Foundation, said: “For the past 13 years, the University of Chester and British Heart Foundation (BHF) have joined forces to fund lifesaving research to unlock treatments that could give someone a longer, healthier life. 

“As the UK’s biggest charity retailer, we heavily rely on the continued support and generosity of all our retail stock partners. This partnership has enabled us to continue to fund lifesaving research through supporting our retail estate with regular stock donations from the University and its students. 

“We couldn’t be more grateful for this support and look forward to continuing to work towards our vision of a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer.” 

For more information about BHF’s Pack for Good initiative, or to get involved, please email packforgood@bhf.org.uk.