British Heart Foundation - Scotland

Last Friday evening, we were proud to host the British Heart Foundation Scotland Desmond Julian Lecture, one of our most prestigious annual events. This year’s lecture was delivered by Professor Keith Fox, in recognition of an extraordinary career that has transformed cardiovascular medicine, advanced world-leading research, and improved the lives of countless patients in Scotland and around the world. The lecture celebrates exceptional leadership and achievement in cardiovascular medicine and research, and Professor Fox’s contribution exemplifies exactly that. We were particularly pleased to deliver this year’s event in partnership with the The University of Edinburgh as part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of Edinburgh Medical School, recognising the city’s enduring contribution to medical discovery and innovation. Professor Fox’s work has helped shape modern cardiology through his commitment to research, clinical excellence, and translating scientific discovery into better outcomes for patients. His career stands as a powerful reminder of the difference that research can make when combined with vision, determination and collaboration. At BHF Scotland, we are proud to support the research, researchers and partnerships that continue to change and save lives. Professor Fox's career is a powerful example of what is possible when scientific excellence is matched with a relentless focus on patients. #BHFScotland #CardiovascularResearch #MedicalResearch #UniversityOfEdinburgh #Edinburgh300 #HeartHealth #ResearchMatters

🏆 Heart Hero Awards Winner Spotlight: The University of Edinburgh Congratulations to the University of Edinburgh, winners of the Retail Partner of the Year Award at the BHF Scotland Heart Hero Awards 2026. For more than a decade, the University has supported the BHF's Pack for Good programme showing how partnership can create a lasting impact for both people and the planet. Through the initiative, students donate unwanted items at the end of term, giving clothes, books, household goods and other items a second life through the British Heart Foundation's network of shops. Over the years, the programme has raised an incredible £600,000 for lifesaving cardiovascular research while diverting hundreds of tonnes of reusable goods away from landfill. It's a fantastic example of sustainability in action, showing how small individual actions can collectively make a huge difference. By supporting circular reuse, reducing waste and funding groundbreaking research, the University of Edinburgh has helped create benefits that extend far beyond campus. We were delighted to see the award presented by Karen O'Donoghue MInstF(cert) from the British Heart Foundation and social media influencer Eleanor Cannon during a special evening celebrating Scotland's Heart Heroes. Congratulations to everyone involved in the Pack for Good programme on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for helping us build a healthier future for both people and the planet. ❤️ #HeartHeroAwards #BHFScotland #RetailPartnerOfTheYear #PackForGood #Sustainability #HeartHeroes #EveryHeartbeatMatters #PeopleAndPlanet

🏆 Heart Hero Awards Winner Spotlight: Scottish Heart Failure Nurse Forum Congratulations to the Scottish Heart Failure Nurse Forum, winners of the Lynda Blue Award at the BHF Scotland Heart Hero Awards 2026. The Lynda Blue Award recognises clinicians who have gone above and beyond for their patients, colleagues and profession. Named in honour of pioneering heart failure nurse Lynda Blue, the award celebrates her compassionate care, groundbreaking research and leadership, which helped establish the heart failure nurse specialist role and transform care for patients across Scotland. As the Scottish Heart Failure Nurse Forum celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2026, this award recognises more than two decades of dedication to improving the lives of people living with heart failure. Through championing best practice, supporting healthcare professionals and driving innovation in care, the Forum has played a vital role in changing the face of heart failure treatment in Scotland. Their collective efforts have helped shape the profession, strengthen services and ensure better outcomes for countless patients and families. This recognition celebrates not only what they have achieved over the past 21 years, but the lasting impact they continue to have on cardiovascular care across the country. We were delighted to see the award presented by Richard Forsyth from the British Heart Foundation and actress Gayle Telfer Stevens during a special evening celebrating Scotland's Heart Heroes. Congratulations to everyone involved with the Scottish Heart Failure Nurse Forum on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for the difference you make every day. ❤️ #HeartHeroAwards #BHFScotland #LyndaBlueAward #HeartFailureNursing #HeartHeroes #HealthcareHeroes #EveryHeartbeatMatters

🏆 Heart Hero Awards Winner Spotlight: Bill & Margaret Black Congratulations to Bill and Margaret Black, winners of the Outstanding Contribution Award at the BHF Scotland Heart Hero Awards 2026. As the final and most prestigious award of the evening, the Outstanding Contribution Award recognises individuals who have made an extraordinary commitment to supporting the British Heart Foundation's mission. Few people embody that spirit more than Bill and Margaret Black. For more than 34 years, Bill and Margaret have dedicated themselves to supporting the BHF through tireless fundraising, advocacy and community engagement. Their contribution extends far beyond the impressive funds they have raised over the decades. What makes their story so remarkable is the community they have built around them. Year after year, they have inspired friends, family and supporters to come together in support of the BHF, creating a legacy that continues to help fund lifesaving research and bring hope to people living with heart and circulatory diseases. Their unwavering commitment, generosity and passion have touched countless lives and demonstrate the power of what can be achieved when people dedicate themselves to a cause they believe in. We were honoured to see Bill and Margaret receive the Outstanding Contribution Award from BHF Chief Executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths, recognising more than three decades of exceptional support for the charity and our mission. Congratulations, Bill and Margaret. Your dedication has made a lasting difference, and your legacy will continue to inspire generations of supporters to come. ❤️ #HeartHeroAwards #BHFScotland #OutstandingContributionAward #HeartHeroes #EveryHeartbeatMatters #LifeSavingResearch #BHFScotland

🏆 Heart Hero Awards Winner Spotlight: Gordon Robertson Congratulations to Gordon Robertson, winner of the CPR Hero Award at the BHF Scotland Heart Hero Awards 2026. Gordon's story is a powerful reminder that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. When his wife, Kerry, suffered a cardiac arrest, Gordon stepped in and performed lifesaving CPR. His quick thinking, courage and willingness to act helped save the life of the person he loves most. Just three months later, Gordon and Kerry were able to celebrate a moment that could so easily have been lost, walking down the aisle together on their wedding day. Their story is one of love, resilience and hope. It also highlights something incredibly important: CPR saves lives. Every one of us has the potential to be someone's hero, and learning CPR could one day make all the difference for a family facing their darkest moment. We were delighted to see Gordon receive his award from Commonwealth Games gymnastics gold medallist Reuben Ward and BBC presenter, writer and actor Zara Janjua during an unforgettable evening celebrating Scotland's Heart Heroes. Congratulations, Gordon. Your actions are a reminder of the extraordinary impact that one person can have when every second counts. ❤️ #HeartHeroAwards #BHFScotland #CPRHero #LearnCPR #HeartHeroes #EveryHeartbeatMatters #CardiacArrestAwareness

🏆 Heart Hero Awards Winner Spotlight: People's Choice Award Before we celebrate this year's People's Choice winner, we'd like to say a huge thank you to The Sunday Post, our media partner for the Heart Hero Awards. Through their support, they helped share the inspiring stories of our nominees with audiences across Scotland and gave the public the chance to have their say. The Sunday Post People's Choice Award saw eight of our incredible Heart Hero nominees featured, with more than 5,000 votes cast by readers. After a fantastic public response, the eventual winner was CPR Hero Gordon Robertson. Gordon's story captured the hearts of the public for good reason. When his wife, Kerry, suffered a cardiac arrest, Gordon stepped in and performed lifesaving CPR, helping to save her life. Just three months later, the couple were able to celebrate their wedding day together, a moment that might never have happened without Gordon's courage and quick actions. His story is a powerful reminder that CPR can save lives and that anyone can become a lifesaver with the right knowledge and confidence to act. We were delighted to see Gordon receive the Sunday Post People's Choice Award from celebrated Scottish actor Gary Hollywood and The Sunday Post Editor Thomas Hawkins during a memorable evening celebrating Scotland's Heart Heroes. Congratulations, Gordon, and thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and celebrate these remarkable stories. ❤️ #HeartHeroAwards #BHFScotland #PeoplesChoiceAward #CPRHero #LearnCPR #HeartHeroes #EveryHeartbeatMatters #SundayPost