Lisburn to be first city to wear heart on its sleeve

Pictured at the lauch of Lisburn as Northern Ireland's first Heart City with the British Heart Foundation and pictured at the statue of the late Professor Pantridge, inventor of the mobile defibrillator is the Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton; Gary Wilson, Fundraising Volunteer Manager of BHF Northern Ireland; Elected Members; BHF representatives; guests and local school children.

BHF Northern Ireland’s Heart Cities aim is to bring communities together through local fundraising and volunteering, while raising awareness of heart disease and offering people a raft of support services including schools initiatives, workplace health and lifestyle information resources.

The inventor of the portable defibrillator, the late Professor Frank Pantridge MD CBC, was a Freeman of the City of Lisburn; who transformed cardiology medicine and pioneered the emergency treatment of people suffering a heart attack with his defibrillator.

The Council holds the Professor in high regard, and is very proud of the esteem in which he is held worldwide. The Council commissioned a life-sized bronze statue of Professor Pantridge, several years ago, and this sits pride of place at the Council’s headquarters building, Lagan Valley Island.

The Council has supported local leisure facilities and organisations with the provision of mobile defibrillators over the years. Mayor of Lisburn City Council, Councillor Margaret Tolerton, said, “We are delighted to join forces with BHF Northern Ireland as a Heart City and with our association with the late esteemed Professor Frank Pantridge.

“We hope to support BHF Northern Ireland in its endeavours as this is a particular area that the Council has been committed to supporting and promoting over the years,” she said.

Heart Towns and Cities have been created as part of the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal which was launched in 2011 to mark the charity’s 50th anniversary.

Lisburn is the first city to become a Heart City in Northern Ireland and joins almost 50 other towns and cities across the UK, including Craigavon and Coleraine, which have signed up to bring hope to so many people across the country.

Gary Wilson Fundraising Volunteer Manager from British Heart Foundation Northern

Ireland said, “Nearly a quarter of a million people are living with cardiovascular

disease in Northern Ireland. Lisburn City Council have joined the fight for every

heartbeat and we want you to do the same. Sign up to take part, raise some money

and help support all the mums, dads, grandparents and children living with the

effects of this debilitating disease.”