A CHARITY that funds research into heart and circulatory diseases is asking people in Oxfordshire to help raise money so that it can continue its work.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is looking for volunteers to help collect donations at their local Tesco Extra stores in Oxford and Bicester next month.

The event dubbed as Heart Stars will take place on February 7 and 8 and volunteers would give up two hours of their time to take part.

In Oxfordshire, the BHF estimates that around 68,400 people are living with the daily burden of heart and circulatory diseases. By funding research, the BHF aims to find ways to better prevent, diagnose, treat and cure these conditions, to save and improve lives right now.

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BHF fundraising manager for Oxfordshire, Aisha Kellaway said: “We are asking the people of Oxford to become a heart star by sparing just a couple of hours to volunteer at either the Tesco superstore in Bicester, or the superstore at the Oxford Retail Park.

"Heart and circulatory diseases are the cause of one in four deaths in the UK, so more research is urgently needed to help us beat heartbreak, forever.”

To find out more about giving your time and joining a Heart Stars event at your local Tesco, sign up online at www.bhf.org.uk/heartstars or contact your local fundraising manager Aisha on 07741 640178 or email kellawayai@bhf.org.uk .