A FUND-raising dinner has provided more than £1,000 towards the cost of a balloon pump to help people with heart problems.

Members of the Worcester Heart Support Group raised £1,110 towards the £38,000 needed to fund the purchase of the pump, which is to be used in the percutaneous coronary intervention centre at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

A balloon pump is a device that increases blood flow to the heart muscle and decreases the heart’s workload.

The initiative for the dinner came from two members of the group Beryl and Derek Kettle, who provided meals for members of their church.

Together with Trevor Cooper, chairman of the support group, they presented the cheque to Sian Siddell, fund-raising manager of the British Heart Foundation.

The heart support group which is affiliated to the British Heart Foundation, meets at Norton Parish Hall, near Worcester, on the second Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm.Visitors and non-members are always welcome.

For more information contact Mr Cooper on 01905 745130.