A pamper party has raised almost £200 for the Medway Echo Appeal.

Guests at the event at Lordswood Leisure Centre were treated to manicures, pedicures, Indian head massages, facials and other beauty treatments.

All the money raised will help Medway NHS Foundation Trust to buy specialist cardiac equipment.

The Medway Messenger is supporting The British Heart Foundation’s appeal to raise £30,000 for a new echo machine, which could save thousands of lives.

The hi-tech equipment works like an ultra-sound machine and could mean the difference between life and death by detecting heart conditions earlier.

The new equipment will mean more patients can be treated and they will receive a much quicker and more accurate diagnosis.

The pamper evening was organised by Nicola Kidney and Jo Randall, who both work at Lordswood Leisure Centre.

Nicola, 36, from Sittingbourne, understands the importance of helping Medway NHS raise enough cash for the new echo machine

She runs cardiac rehab classes at the centre in North Danes Way, helping people who have suffered a heart attack get back on their feet.

She said: "The new machine will be portable so it can be used in outreach clinics and more people can be seen.

"Some of my clients have had to travel to London for treatment in the past, but hopefully the new machine will mean more people can be treated closer to home, and for those who can’t travel, the machine can come to them."

When I heard about the British Heart Foundation’s Medway Echo Appeal I really wanted to help. We hold regular pamper parties at the leisure centre so it was an ideal way to get involved and help raise some cash."

"The therapists were kept busy all evening and we had stalls selling gifts and cosmetics. All the stalls donated a raffle prize too. Everyone enjoyed themselves."

Joanne Howe, BHF fund-raising volunteer manager, said: "Thanks to everyone involved in the pamper evening.

"I would like to encourage more people in Medway consider doing a charity event for BHF."

To donate towards the appeal or for advice on how to organise your own event, call Joanne Howe on 01474 537997 or email howej@bhf.org.uk.

You can also donate online at www.bhf.org.uk/medway