Bournemouth Heart Club (BCH) has teamed up its patron, Graeme Souness, former football manager, and now football analyst, and 30 heart club members for a sponsored 10-hour non-stop Heart to Heart cycle ride. It is hoped the ride will fund 20 places at the BHC Keep Well Hub for people on low income who must to exercise to improve their health conditions but cannot afford a regular gym membership.

Graeme Souness understands the importance of heart health, having undergone open heart by-pass surgery in 1992 at the age of 38 whilst managing Liverpool FC. He said: “Regular exercise provides both immediate and long lasting benefits. It improves cardiovascular health, reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of developing other serious health conditions like diabetes and can help with dementia and depression”.

Although BHC was established for cardiac rehabilitation, it now also helps patients with other conditions such as diabetes, stroke (TIA), COPD and long Covid. Patients can be referred by their doctor, health care practitioner or social prescriber, or can self-refer subject to meeting the relevant health criteria.

The Keep Well programme includes an up-front clinical assessment, a 20-session course and an end of course review. On completion patients are encouraged to become full members of BHC and continue to improve their health.

BHC has two fully equipped gymnasiums and a staff of highly trained exercise instructors all of whom hold the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Level 4 accreditation, so members are able to exercise at their own level in a safe environment. Classes run throughout the day from Monday to Saturday and include circuits and group exercise, open gym sessions, seated classes for people with mobility issues and online Zoom classes.

BHC is located on the site of Royal Bournemouth Hospital and has its own car park.

Call Bournemouth Heart Club on 0300 019 4522 or visit www.bournemouth-heart-club.org.uk/the-keep-well-scheme/