A HEART charity wants to hear ideas on how to boost the health of Sidmouth residents.

A HEART charity wants to hear ideas on how to boost the health of Sidmouth residents.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF), which has a shop in Fore Street, is aiming to support local projects that would improve the quality of life for heart patients and their carers or promote healthier lifestyles for those at risk of developing heart disease.

The BHF is inviting applications to its Help a Heart Grant programme, which makes awards of between �300 and �2,000 to voluntary and community groups to run projects.

Grants have been used by local groups in a variety of ways. Previous examples include developing web-based resources for local heart patients.

Funds have also been used to run a swimming programme to promote physical activity to groups of young carers, as well as programmes that help heart patients and their carers manage stress.

Lisa Purcell, Heart Health project manager at the BHF, said: “The grants aim to support small community groups that can make a real difference to people in Devon. Even grants of a few hundred pounds can have an impact.”

For more information about the programme and to download an application pack, visit bhf.org.uk/helpaheartgrant.