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FUNDRAISING!

Make AFA your New Years Resolution

Have you made any New Years resolutions? Why not make fundraising for Atrial Fibrillation Association your resolution for 2012. The fundraising department has hundreds of fundraising ideas for all ages and abilities, from a sponsored silence to participating in a marathon.

To make sure your New Year starts with Atrial Fibrillation Association, contact the fundraising team on 01789 451 837, alternatively email info@afa.org.uk, and we will provide you with support and guidance to create a fantastic fundraising event.

Just Walk for AFA

Helen and Dan Whitelock from Gloucester will be participating in Just Walk 2012; an event organised by Across the Divide, charity challenges which enables individuals to raise money for the charity of their choice.

Helen said "We're raising funds for the Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA) by walking 20km in the Just Walk event on the South Downs, on 12th May 2012.”

Helen was diagnosed with AF in 2008 after spending five days in hospital, after collapsing at home in the middle of the night, aged 28 years old.

“Life was a struggle for a while, whilst coming to terms with this horrible condition and with no known causes, made it even more difficult. I found AFA helped, by providing a source of information, expertise and support from others who also suffer from AF via the web forum. I was also able to attend their annual Heart Rhythm Congress in Birmingham, where many specialists gave valuable information and support.”

Dan said “We'd like to say thank you by raising funds and increasing awareness to enable AFA to help others like Helen, and we hope you can help us achieve our goal."

If you would like to support Helen and Dan in their quest to raise £800 for AFA please go to their fundraising page http://www.justgiving.com/The-Whitelocks.

If you would like to participate in an event organised by Across the Divide to raise vital money for AFA go to http://www.acrossthedivide.com/

You’re never too old to put on your running shoes

Brian Pask a 71 year old from Bristol will be lining up for the Bristol 10km on Sunday 20th May 2012 to raise money for AFA.

Brian who suffers with Atrial Fibrillation said “As a 71 year old I will not be breaking any records but I could maybe raise some cash.”

If you feel inspired by Brian and would like to do some fundraising on behalf of AFA contact the team on 01789 451 837, alternatively email info@afa.org.uk.

Andy hits the high notes for AFA

Andy Hodges raised over £207.00 for AFA when he sang carols with fellow members of his local parish at St Swithuns Church in Woodborough, Nottinghamshire. Thank you Andy!

AF patient qualifies to represent Great Britain in the European Triathlon Championships

Martin Harman, a 38 year old Atrial Fibrillation sufferer has qualified to represent Great Britain in the European Championships in Eilat, Israel on 19th April 2012.

To learn more visit Martin's page.

AFA Funding and Sponsors

Supporting The Atrial Fibrillation Association

The AFA would like to thank all our funders and sponsors for their continued support of the AFA work programme and look forward to working closely with them to improve the quality of life of people affected by Atrial Fibrillation.

Calling all fundraisers

Could you raise awareness by holding a fundraising event or consider asking friends and family to donate to AFA as your birthday gift?

We have an exciting new Fundraising team ready to help! Contact Wendy at wendy.adams@atrialfibrillation.org.uk for help, support or to find more!

26 Miles to go for Dave Pavey

On Sunday 27th May 2012, Dave Pavey will be pounding the streets of Edinburgh in the Edinburgh Marathon.

Dave has completed 3 half- marathons in the last 15 months, finishing them all in well under 2 hours, but it will be the first time Dave will be competing in a marathon and a great personal challenge.

Dave was born 52 years ago with a hole is his heart which was successfully repaired back in 2006. Dave started exercising regularly in 2009 with a view to running the Cardiff half-marathon in October. Unfortunately Dave caught swine-flu and was unable to take part. After recovering from swine-flu, Dave began training again, but found that he had no energy.

After a trip to the doctors, Dave was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and had a DC cardioversion in February 2011 to get him back in rhythm, which appears to have worked.

Dave gets the occasional wobble every 3-4 months, but is able to mange the condition by spotting the symptoms and has found that when he is in A-fib, keeping going on the regular (but limited) exercise helps him stay as healthy as possible.

If you would like to support Dave in his fundraising endeavours go to http://www.justgiving.com/DPavey

If you feel inspired by Dave’s story and would like to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon 2012, entry is now open. To register your place, go to http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/

For an update on how Dave’s training is going www.paveyweb.co.uk/blog

How Knitting Can Save Lives

Atrial Fibrillation Association, working with its sister charity, Arrhythmia Alliance exhibited at the Shipston Wool Fair on Monday 30th May 2011. Funds were raised by selling donated knitted garments and the smaller items were used to decorate the tables and stalls.

Click here to see the press release.

Click here to see the poster.

Knitted Together!

There was no stopping Margaret Watts when she heard that AFA along with the Heart Rhythm Charity, Arrhythmia Alliance were recruiting knitters to help knit hearts for their new knitting initiative.

Read more

RAF have their finger on the pulse

Sergeant Gerard ‘Sully’ O’Sullivan, aged 47, is a Logistics (Supplier) deployed with 901 Expeditionary Air Wing in the Middle East.

Sully's RAF Doctor, at his home base of RAF Halton, assessed him as having AF and supported him through a strategy to reduce the risk of strokes and minimise the symptoms.

In an effort to support the AFA ‘Know your Pulse’ campaign Sully and his fellow detachment personnel raised £450 to help the AFA promote public and medical awareness. Thank you Medic Sgt Goulden with Sgt O'Sullivan Sully and RAF Halton!!

Damon discovered he had developed Atrial Fibrillation

Damon discovered he had developed Atrial Fibrillation when only thirty seven years of age. Shortly after contacting AFA he generously asked his friends and family to donate to AFA instead of buying him birthday gifts.
Damon's kindness raised a staggering £150.00 for AFA!
Read Damon's account of discovering he had AF

Fund raising Events:

Could you raise money for AFA? Just Walk could help.

Just Walk is an exciting sponsored UK charity walk for anyone wanting to fundraise for the charity of their choice. This fundraising walk is open to charities and anyone who is keen to get their walking boots on and hike for charity a - you can choose either 10km, 20km, 40km or 60km routes - so something for everybody. This charity walk offers enthusiastic walkers the chance to experience a breathtaking charity walk over the picturesque South Downs in West Sussex and generate funds for their chosen charity.

Visit: www.acrossthedivide.com/just-walk