THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) is urging supporters to bag up unwanted items to help beat heart disease.

Every bag donated as part of the Bag it. Beat it. campaign will fund life-saving heart research, helping over 40,000 little heroes continue to fight congenital heart disease.

Before the BHF was founded only one in five babies born with congenital heart disease saw their first birthday, let alone their first day of school.

Thanks to pioneering research, now around 4,000 children are able to experience their first day of school every year.

Everyone can get involved by simply filling a bag with good quality clothes, shoes, books, handbags, DVDs, CDs, bric-a-brac and children’s toys and taking it into their local BHF shop.

Mike Taylor, BHF retail director, said: “We’re urging everyone in the South West to have a clear out this September and to donate bags of unwanted items to their local BHF shop to Bag it. Beat it.

To find your local BHF shop or to book a free collection of your unwanted items go to bagit.bhf.org.uk or call 0800 915 7000.

Or visit the British Heart Foundation charity shop in Stroud high street to drop off any unwanted items.

During the last financial year, British Heart Foundation shops raised over £31 million to help the charity fight heart disease – the nation’s single biggest killer.

Every pound raised, minute of time and donation to BHF shops will really help make a difference.