DISTRICT residents are being called to help the fight against heart disease by joining a community volunteer group.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is asking residents to joining the Maldon community volunteer group.

Each year, 173 people die from battles with heart and circulatory disease.

Community volunteer groups run fundraising events, support schools and businesses organise collections. They are key to helping the BHF raise money and support their work.

Kirsty Brzeczek, BHF fundraising manager for Essex, said: “It’s only thanks to BHF research that pioneering heart surgeries are able to take place, and with your support we can save the lives of more people.

“Heart disease is heartless. Too many lives are lost in Maldon each year, and we’re determined to do everything we can to protect more families from this devastation.

“By joining a community volunteer group you can help us fund the research that’s so desperately needed to bring us closer to beating heart disease.

“Together we can save more lives, and it’s a fantastic way to meet new people and make a real difference in your community.”

For details about joining the community volunteer group contact Ms Brzeczek on brzeczekk@bhf.org.uk or call 07920 845365.