Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, and Local MP Martyn Day, visited the British Heart Foundation shop in Bathgate to praise the work of volunteers.
The visit to the volunteer-run shop by Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, and Martyn Day, MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, was set to mark Volunteers’ Week at the start of this month.
The two politicians praised the role of the volunteers during their visit - seeing how their work supports the charity’s lifesaving research into heart and circulatory disease.
In Scotland, around 14,000 volunteers regularly give up their time to help the British Heart Foundation in its 75 Scottish shops across the country.
Fiona commented: “It was a pleasure to visit the British Heart Foundation shop and meet the dedicated staff and volunteers.
“Across Scotland, 75 British Heart Foundation shops provide invaluable funding for Heart research in Scotland, and the people of Bathgate are generous in their support of this cause.
“I know many of my constituents have seen and felt first-hand the terrible effects of heart disease.
“Shops like the Bathgate branch support the British Heart Foundation in funding around £60 million worth of research projects in Scottish universities.
“The Bathgate Branch won Volunteer Team of the Year which is well deserved.
“I know they are always looking for more volunteers so if you want to be a part of an award-winning team volunteering at the George Street shop in Bathgate, please drop by and visit them.”
The Bathgate shop is supported by the local community - who alongside the shop create a sustainable circular economy by shopping and donating pre owned items while supporting the British Heart Foundation’s research.
Around 71000 tonnes of goods are prevented from going to waste by the charity each year through the reuse and recycling of donated items
In a year, the British Heart Foundation saves around 71,000 tonnes of goods going to waste through the reuse and recycling of donated items, helping prevent 135000 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere.
Heart disease is a major cause of ill health in Scotland and the British Heart Foundation is currently funding around £60 million worth of projects in ten Scottish universities.
Martyn Day concludes: “The shop is always looking for more donations, and they have a fantastic range of quality goods available, so I would urge everyone to visit.
“Thank you British Heart Foundation for your fantastic work.”
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