WINTER WALK ON Sunday, February 24, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is holding its Hearts First - Fountains Abbey Winter Walk, a new event for the area to raise vital funds to help support men, women and children whose hearts need a helping hand.

The BHF is looking for 200 people to take part and help us raise £15,000. Registration is now open and we would like to invite people to join us for the event at this World Heritage site.

The ten-mile circular walk explores the Abbey, the Studley Royal Estate and surrounding winter landscape, finishing with a stunning approach to the Abbey with time to explore at the end of the day.

By taking part, you will be looking after your own heart as well as those of others. Physical activity halves the risk of developing coronary heart disease and helps keeps our hearts healthy.

Events such as this raise vital funds to help the BHF continue its vital work, such as funding heart failure nurses based at the local primary care trusts covering the York, Harrogate, Ripon and Craven districts, and providing grants for pioneering research at York University.

You can register online at www.bhf.org.uk/Fountains. For more information, call 0800-917- 6976. - Helen Whiteley, Regional Events Organiser, British Heart Foundation, Tadcaster.