JOGGERS are being urged to pull on their trainers and keep on running, to help a major fundraising event.

The British Heart Foundation's annual York City Jog comes to Knavesmire on Tuesday, April 3 to raise money for research into heart disease.

The charity's message is that you can help your own hearts, and those of others, by joining the fun event.

Last year, record numbers of people gave their own hearts a healthy work-out at Tower Gardens.

Now the foundation wants to see more than 800 people joining in at the racecourse.

This year's jog aims to raise more than £20,000 to help the Foundation's work on the causes and treatment of heart and circulatory disease.

The charity funds vital equipment and patient care, including three of its own heart failure nurses at the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust. The organisation also funds grants for pioneering research at the University of York.

Regional events organiser Helen Whiteley said: "We are appealing to people of all ages living and working in York and surrounding areas to join us on this fun event and help their own hearts as well as those of others who need a helping hand.

"Doing physical exercise is one of the best things you can do to take care of your heart and the emphasis is on having fun. It's not a race and is open to everyone.

"Heart disease touches us all. Every year thousands die prematurely, and those who survive can find life difficult and frightening. Events such as the jog raise vital finds to help the British Heart Foundation to continue its life-saving work so please join us - have fun and help us to beat heart disease together."

Joggers who want to take part in the event can choose either a 5km or 3km route.

Among those lining up will be staff from York- based Norwich Union. A team of more than 35 staff will be taking part to raise funds for the charity, in memory of a colleague who died last October from a heart condition.

Paul Collier from Norwich Union says: 'The BHF is a charity close to our hearts. Our manager was greatly loved and respected by us all. When I suggested we take part in the BHF's York City Jog I had a fantastic response. We are really pleased to be supporting the British Heart Foundation and we hope to raise more than £1,000."

Helen Whiteley added: "We are delighted to be supported by Norwich Union and are asking other businesses and local people to join in.

"We also have teams from Barclays, JJB Sports, Yorkshire Bank, local schools and individuals joining in with friends and family."

Another local firm sponsoring the event is Courtneys Gym, whose chosen charity this year is the British Heart Foundation.

The four-women team which will be running on the day is Annabel Wood, Lousie Bonner, Ann Marie Jeffery and Rachel Thompson.

For more information about taking part and volunteering in British Heart Foundation events in your area visit www.bhf.org/events or call 0800 917 6976.

  • Registration form available on page 15 of today's The Press.

The first 200 joggers to register will receive a free t-shirt and BHF t-shirts will be available on the day for individual joggers.