LIVE-SAVING heart equipment is on its way to Medway Maritime Hospital after a successful campaign to raise £30,000.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) supported by the Medway Messenger, launched the Medway Echo Appeal in November 2008 to buy an echo machine.
The equipment can detect heart conditions, such as a hole in the heart in newborn babies and heart disease in adults.
It works like an ultrasound and allows doctors to get a clear picture inside the heart.
An echo machine costs £44,000 and after a £14,000 contribution from the NHS, the BHF set about raising the rest of the cash.
Over the past year, hundreds of people across the Towns have got involved, organising everything from casino nights to tea dances, and sponsored skis.
And after all your efforts, the appeal has banked £30,695.

Joanne Howe, fundraising volunteer manager for the BHF in Medway, said: “I would like to thank readers of the Medway Messenger for their support over the past year. I have been astounded in this current economic climate how supportive people have been whether individuals affected by heart disease, local schools, community groups and small businesses.
The final contribution came from the Surf Marketing team. The firm, which runs an online directory of businesses in the Towns, has launched the magazine Surf Medway.
It held a launch party, with all proceeds going to the Medway Echo Appeal. The event was at the Corn Exchange in Rochester and collected £3,235, smashing their £2,500 target. Picture: Joanne Howe receives the cheque from Surf Marketing Director Dave Skinner.