More than £200 has been raised at the first event in aid of the Medway Echo Appeal.

The Medway Messenger is supporting a campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise £30,000 to pay for an echo machine at Medway Maritime Hospital.

The hi-tech equipment works like an ultrasound scan and could mean the difference between life and death, by detecting heart conditions earlier.

An echocardiogram machine, to give the equipment its full name, costs £44,000. Medway NHS Foundation Trust has already donated £14,500 but the BHF must find the rest of the funds.

British Heart Foundation volunteer Eddie Humphrey from Frindsbury, organised the first event in support of the campaign. He set up a tea dance at All Saints Church Hall in Frindsbury. More than 50 guests took to the dance floor and raised £239.

Joanne Howe, British Heart Foundation fund-raising volunteer manager, said: “Thank you to everybody who took part in the tea dance particularly to those people who gave up their time and kindly covered the costs as well as others who donated raffle prizes.

“Dancing is a great way to look after your heart, have fun and help make a difference to the appeal. The dancers certainly taught me a few dance moves.

“The tea dance was a great start to the appeal. Please will other groups in Medway consider doing a charity event for BHF as part of their regular activities.”

How you can help

* Organise an event

You can support us at work, school, university, at your local club or even with friends. The British Heart Foundation can provide a booklet packed with case studies of successful fund-raisers and an A-Z of fund-raising ideas. Local staff will also give you tips, and explain how you can make the money go further through gift aid and matched giving.

* Volunteer

Can you spare just a few hours now and then? The British Heart Foundation in Medway desperately needs hands to help with events and local activities, collections, talks to schools and other groups, admin and internet work and lots more.

* Don’t keep it to yourself

It’s often easier to fund-raise with friends rather than on your own. Tell your family, friends, your local church, group or association about the appeal to see if they can help you, or are willing to support the appeal in some way.

* We mean business

Do you belong to or know someone in a local business or social group who might support the appeal by making a donation, organising a fund- raising event or allowing their staff to volunteer? Why not get together a team from your company? Ask if your company operates matched giving, which can double your efforts.

* Making a donation

Contact Joanne Howe, British Heart Foundation, PO Box 296, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8ER. Call 01474 537997, email howej@bhf.org.uk or pledge online at www.bhf.org.uk/medway. Cheques must be made payable to British Heart Foundation. Medway echo appeal must be written on the back.