Preston family business raises £2,737 for Heartbeat charity

Gary Walsh and Will Cook from James Hall & Co. Ltd, handing over the cheque to Lisa Riding and Dr Sally Seed of Heartbeat.

A family business based in Preston has raised £2,737 for charity.

James Hall & Co. Ltd organised a Euro score predictor game for its staff, raising funds for Heartbeat North West Cardiac Care, which has been based in the city since 1978.

Over 300 members of staff from the business signed up to play this summer, with the game technology being provided by A&P for free.

The charity is close to several employees at James Hall & Co. Ltd’s SPAR Distribution Centre who are recovering from a range of cardiac-related conditions.

Gary Walsh, who is pictured, is one of a few James Hall employees on Heartbeat’s programme currently and was mid-rehabilitation session when he posed for the photo.

The money raised equates to 14 people being supported through a cardiac rehabilitation programme over a nine months.

Philippa Harrington, Marketing Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “The score predictor game was a fantastic way to engage staff during the tournament while raising money for a great cause close to many people’s hearts within our company.

“It was brilliant to see so many players sign up and it created a real buzz in the depot. There were a few hearts in mouths moments along the way too, particularly at the end, as the Spain v England final ended up being a decider between employees who were in first and second place, even altering the final positions.”

Heartbeat has been running for 46 years and currently has almost 1,000 members who access services at nine sites throughout the North West where delivery takes place.

The charity offers exercise programmes tailored to a range of clinical populations including cardiac, stroke, pulmonary and peripheral arterial disease.

Dr Sally Seed, exercise instructor and corporate fundraiser at Heartbeat North West

Cardiac Care, said: “We are thrilled with the outcome of the Euro score predictor. I think the simplicity of the game meant that anybody could sign up for it and that is reflected in the numbers who played.

“With the funds raised, the links between Heartbeat and James Hall & Co. Ltd, and the game technology provided for free by A&P, you could say it was the perfect hat-trick for the charity and we are incredibly grateful for the support.”

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.