TWO Redditch parents who tirelessly work for the community are seeking support from the public as votes open for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Hero Awards.
Rob and Maggie Underwood, who fund-raise and educate communities throughout Worcestershire as well as campaigning to install community access defibrillators in Redditch, have been nominated in the ‘Inspiration’ category of the BHF Heart Hero Awards – an award that goes to those inspiring others in the fight for every heartbeat, such as through their fundraising efforts, taking part in a physical challenge, organising an event or volunteering activities.
Rob and Maggie lost two of their children – Charlotte Marie in December 2010 and Craig in December 2013 – to rare heart conditions, and since then they have set up the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation.
Among other things, the pair have worked to raise money for and install defibrillators in every school in Redditch and regularly run workshops, delivering life saving BHF first aid courses to thousands of people.
For more than 50 years the BHF’s research has helped halve death rates from cardiovascular disease, however there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year and the overall survival rate in the UK is less than one in 10.
Rob said: “When we get feedback with awards like this, it does remind you that people appreciate the hard work and effort. It gives you a boost on those difficult days.
“But ultimately, what we do everyday is all about keeping Charlotte and Craig’s memory alive. That is what keeps us going.
“We are not the ‘inspirational’ ones – Charlotte and Craig are. They are the ones who started the charity. While the nomination is technically for us, it’s all about them.”
Visit http://www.ccshf.org.uk for more information or go to http://bit.ly/2oi3u5h to vote for the Underwoods.
