Two dedicated employees working for Hampshire cardiac charity, Heartbeat, have been promoted into key leadership roles for 2024.
The Southampton-based charity has seen significant growth in the last year, it’s 30th year, and fundraisers Tina Richardson and Tina Tolley have been a big part of that.
Tina Richardson, who has been working with Heartbeat for 24 years, most recently in her role as Events and Corporate Manager, will now take on the role of Head of Operations. She will have direct responsibility for the day-to-day running of the charity both operationally and commercially.
Tina Tolley, has been working as Donor Development Manager for the past six years and will become Head of Business and Donor Development. She will be responsible for driving and supporting the charity’s income growth. Tina Tolley has already made major strides in raising the charity’s profile outside of Hampshire and the Wessex region, specifically with her work in Guernsey.
Tina Tolley said: “We have seen more and more patients from Guernsey being treated at the Wessex Cardiac Unit here in Southampton, and because it’s such a long way for them and their families to travel, there’s even more need for us to support them. We have established some fantastic relationships with the community, who have since become huge advocates for us. Heartbeat has further plans for more exciting collaborations and events in Guernsey, as well as further building on corporate and individual partnerships there too’’.
Projects spearheaded by the charity include Rotary Heartbeat House, the charity’s 25-bedroom ‘home from home’. The house is designed to support and provide respite to families of cardiac patients undergoing treatment at University Hospital Southampton and is located just a three-minute walk away. It currently costs £87,000 per year to keep the facility running and relies solely on donations.
Tina Tolley added, “The Rotary Clubs in district 1110 have been unbelievable in their support and our relationships have really flourished. Rotary pledges really make a difference from donations, and in kind, to our ‘Home from Home’ Rotary Heartbeat House, where families of patients undergoing treatment can stay for free. This will ease the difficulties of finding somewhere to stay, both mentally and financially, while a loved one is staying on the cardiac unit.”
“Both Tina Richardson and I are members, so we know the outstanding contribution they make to so many good causes.”
Tina Richardson and Tina Tolley are both passionate about the work Heartbeat is doing to look after cardiac patients and their families in the region and beyond.
Tina Richardson said: “It has been a real privilege to work on valuable projects over the years that have enhanced, or in some case, saved people’s lives. I have seen many changes since I started here, with the advancement of medical science, and have been proud to see many fundraising projects come to fruition.
“There is always more we can do to improve the way we do things on a day-to-day basis, and I’m looking forward to helping Heartbeat progress as I take on this new role.”
Tina Tolley said: “We’re a small charity but we have big ideas, and fortunately we’ve always managed to keep funding going, even during the pandemic. In my new position I’ll be working closely with businesses interested in supporting us. Our team can engage with staff who want to get involved with a charity like ours. It is great for staff morale and will often lead to individuals raising money for Heartbeat off their own backs. I am looking forward to an exciting 2024’’.
The charity had a number of successful events in 2023, including a star-studded night of musical theatre, ‘Musicals from the Heart’ which was attended by HRH, The Duchess of Edinburgh, GVCO and the highly anticipated, Heartbeat Autumn Ball. There are even more exciting events and charity challenges set for 2024, where you can visit our website to find out more.
“It’s an exciting year ahead for Heartbeat” said Mark Ind, the Chief Executive of the charity. Mark also acknowledged the promotions of Tina Richardson and Tina Tolley. He said: “Both Tinas have provided amazing support for the charity over the years and their respective promotions are richly deserved.”
Heartbeat has also offered the role of Events and Corporate Fundraising Co-ordinator to Patrick McCarthy, who will commence employment on Monday 5th February. Patrick achieved a 2:1 in Event Management and has held several of his own fundraising events for different charities.
Since its launch in 1992, Heartbeat has worked tirelessly to provide the best quality cardiac care as it supports the Wessex Cardiac Unit based at Southampton General Hospital, now the University Hospital Southampton.
Another Heartbeat-funded project is its innovative 3D heart campaign, which is revolutionising the approach of surgeons when carrying out invasive cardiac diagnostic testing.
Costing £600 per heart, surgeons can utilise specialist cardiac modelling software to easily scan the patient’s heart using non-invasive methods such as a CT scan or an MRI. This creates a detailed blueprint of the heart, which can then be sent to a 3D printer. The printer will then produce an identical plastic model of the heart, offering an in-depth look at the organ and any defects it may have.
Heartbeat supports families and patients, including those who travel from right across the South of England, and beyond for treatment in one of the UKs leading cardiac centres of excellence at University Hospital Southampton.
For more information, visit: https://www.heartbeat.co.uk/
