A brand new fundraising appeal is launching in Bristol with the support of the Bristol Rugby team.

The Heartful Dodgers appeal aims to raise £60,000 to improve cardiac care in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The appeal is being run by the Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals. The money raised will go towards buying new equipment for local patients including ECG machines, oxygen saturation monitors and heart rate monitors.

We know that this appeal will make a huge difference to recovering cardiac patients at Southmead and Frenchay. It will mean we can extend our services to patients in places such as Kingswood and Clevedon and start a new service for local patients who have mobility issues.

We are so grateful for the support of Bristol Rugby. We know that this is a cause which is very close to the club’s hearts and we are delighted to be working with them.”

Bristol Rugby Chief Executive Steve Gorvett said "Bristol Rugby are delighted to support and work with the Heartful Dodgers appeal and believe this to be a very worthy local cause.

The idea for the appeal came from three cardiac patients who all took part in the Bristol half marathon in 2009.

We need everyone’s support in Bristol to make this appeal a reality.  You can support the Heartful Dodgers appeal by visiting www.heartfuldodgers.co.uk/ and making a donation or by clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.