Heart support charity closes after 32 years

The charity raised thousands of pounds for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

A charity that raised almost £60,000 for the cardiology department at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has closed.

The Copthorne Cickers formed in 1992, after a group of patients met whilst in the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s coronary care ward and rehabilitation department.

Before the charity's closure, it made a final donation of £6,000 to the trust.

The trust's director of public participation, Julia Clarke, thanked the charity and said it had "made a huge difference to the lives of patients and their relatives."

"Over the years, the group has bought specialist chairs, ECG and C Pap devices, blood pressure monitors, rehabilitation equipment and patient TVs," said Jenny Worley, chair of the Copthorne Cickers.

The charity, which was affiliated with the British Heart Foundation, funded the equipment for the trust through donations, raffles, and an annual harvest festival and auction.

Although the charitable arm is closing, the group will still meet in a social capacity.

It is open to anyone who has had a heart problem, including their friends and family, and will meet every third Thursday of the month at Crowmoor Baptist Church.