A team of 25 walkers are setting off on a 100 mile walk in support of patients at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals who have had a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery. The group which includes former patients and hospital staff are all undertaking the Cotswold Way Challenge.

The walk will take nine days to complete and is part of the ‘Heartful Dodgers’ fundraising appeal. The appeal was launched in 2009 to improve cardiac care in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Cardiac Rehabilitation nurse specialist Louise Hill, who has helped arrange the event, said, “This is a very special challenge for us. We are delighted to be joined on the walk by some of our former patients who have received care and treatment at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals.”

“All of the funds raised by our Cotswold Way challenge walk will go towards our Heartful Dodgers appeal and help us to run programmes more locally to the patients”.

The appeal has already raised funds to buy new equipment for local patients including ECG machines, oxygen saturation monitors and heart rate monitors.

The walkers will be setting off on the 3^rd of September and arriving in the centre of Bath on the 11^th. They will cover between four miles and ten miles each day.

Louise added, “As well as being a good way to raise funds, it is also helping to raise awareness of our cause and bring our supporters together. Even our less-able walkers, including patients have said they want to play their part as well and will be walking the ‘last mile’ into Bath.”

If you would like to support the Heartful Dodgers’ Cotswold Way Challenge visit http://www.justgiving.com/heartfuldodgerscotswoldway