Heart Research UK announces fourth year charity partnership with the SUBWAY® brand

Heart Research UK (HRUK) and the SUBWAY® team in the UK and Ireland are helping hearts by raising money for the prevention of heart disease in the UK.

This month Heart Research UK and the SUBWAY® franchise renewed their partnership for another year. Over the past three years Heart Research UK’s partnership with the SUBWAY® brand has gone from strength to strength and they are proud to announce that £300,000 has been raised since 2009 for the HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grants scheme. All the money has been raised by franchisees, staff and SUBWAY® customers through in-store fundraising and collection boxes.

This was celebrated by Fred DeLuca, Co-founder of the SUBWAY® brand flying over from America to present Amy Smith, Corporate Fundraiser at Heart Research UK with a cheque for £300,000, after reaching their target of £100,000 for three years running, which will give over 30 grants to community groups across the UK.

The HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant scheme was launched to provide financial support to communities so they can lead healthier lifestyles and look after their hearts. The grant funds innovative projects that focus on the prevention and reduction of heart disease by using the skills and knowledge of local groups. The SUBWAY® team in the UK & Ireland has not only raised funds for these numerous projects, but has also worked in partnership with Heart Research UK to give the choice of healthier alternatives on the high street.

The SUBWAY® brand was recently praised for becoming the first, amongst its competitors in the Quick Service Restaurant, to fully commit to the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal. They have pledged to remove trans fats*, reduce salt content* and display calorie information on menu boards, making it easier for customers to make heart-healthy choices.

The HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant is available to community groups with ideas for new, original and innovative projects that actively promote Heart Health to target groups. These projects aim to help to prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease in their local community.

Over the last three years, the franchise has raised funds for Heart Research UK not only with collection boxes in-store, but through various activities including; Healthy Heart Days, ‘Cycle the World’, ‘FUNdraising Fridays, and the Heart Research UK Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Stores have also done invaluable work in raising awareness of the pioneering work done by Heart Research UK.

Manaaz Akhtar, Head of Marketing for the SUBWAY® brand in the UK and Ireland, explains ‘With the current economic downturn, over 50% of people who dine out are opting to have food on the go. So it’s more important than ever that people really consider what they are eating and how it will impact on their health. The SUBWAY® brand is fully committed to helping people to make more informed, heart-healthy choices.’

Heart Research UK National Director says ‘This is a fantastic achievement and is a unique model for a company working with a charity. The scheme brings benefits to communities in particular, children who need to know how to look after their heart. The SUBWAY® brand has shown vision by giving a healthier choice on the High Street, strengthening our partnership and helping people live healthier, happier, longer lives.’