A CHAMPION of East Lancashire's heart patients is hosting an education and awareness event next week to mark World Heart Failure Day.

Nick Hartshorne-Evans, from Hapton, was diagnosed with heart failure after suffering a rare viral infection 18 months ago.

Nick, 40, was helped back to health with the support of East Lancashire’s heart failure nursing team, led by clinical nurse manager Angela Graves.

The team, which is based at Accrington Victoria Hospital, looks after between 800 to 900 patients a year, with up to 15 new referrals each week.

Thanks to their care Nick recovered and developed Pumping Marvellous, a website written by patients for patients, with clinical input from Angela and her team.

It aims to inspire heart failure patients to be aware of their condition, its effects and how to self-manage more effectively, preventing hospital stays.

The dad-of-two said: “At 39, I was one of the youngest people in East Lancashire to be diagnosed with heart failure.

"I was absolutely devastated and didn’t know where to turn. Luckily, I met Angela and her award winning heart failure team.”

Nick will now lead an informative display in Accrington Asda on Friday, May 6, from 10am to 7pm.

Representatives of the East Lancashire heart failure nursing team, NHS East Lancashire patient experience team, the British Heart Foundation, members of the NHS Healthy Lifestyles team from Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and clinicians from the cardiology unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital will all be on hand to answer any questions.

Money raised during the event will go towards Pumping Marvellous, East Lancashire’s own Heart Failure Support Group, and the ‘Heart of Blackburn Appeal’.

The appeal, led by the British Heart Foundation, aims to raise £128,000 for a new 3D echocardiograph (ECG) machine at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

If you would like to donate you can call 01623 624558, e-mail dunnb@bhf.org.uk or visit www.bhf.org.uk/blackburnappeal.