Local heart charity calls on Ballymena to lend an ‘elfing’ hand this Christmas!

The British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) is calling on the Ballymena community to don their elf hats and lend an “elfing” hand in their local charity shop this festive season.

As Christmas approaches, the charity is seeking volunteers – or “elves” – to help bring festive cheer while supporting life-saving heart research.

From decorating the shop and sorting donations to chatting with customers, volunteers can make a real difference in their local community this December.

Maureen Beattie, manager of the British Heart Foundation shop in Ballymena, said:

“We would encourage anyone who has a bit of time this festive season to help out at their local BHF store.

“In return for our wonderful volunteers’ generosity, they can expect to make new friends, learn new skills and receive great in-store discounts – handy for any Christmas shopping! Not to mention hot drinks, snacks and a fantastic festive welcome.”

Maureen added:

“You’ll also be helping us raise vital money to fund the charity’s lifesaving research that helps keep families together for Christmases to come.”

The BHF relies on the generosity of thousands of volunteers across the UK, with around 18,000 people giving their time each year to support its 675 shops and stores. These volunteers help raise millions of pounds to fund research into heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia and diabetes.

This year alone, the charity expects to sell around 25 million donated items, saving over 54,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste – including 186,000 sofas and armchairs and 11,000 tonnes of preloved clothing.

The charity also runs a successful eBay shop, selling over half a million high-value or unusual items annually, and has become one of Depop’s top-rated sellers, boasting more than 22,000 followers and a five-star rating.

Those keen to get involved can simply pop into the Ballymena BHF shop or visit www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteer to sign up.

With every hour volunteered, item donated, or purchase made, supporters are helping the BHF fund groundbreaking research – bringing hope for a future free from heart and circulatory diseases.