Today, Leeds Building Society’s branches are supporting the British Heart Foundation (BHF) ‘Wear it Beat it’ day.

In addition, all the mutual’s branches are promoting red heart pin badges for customers to purchase until Friday 27 February.

The BHF is asking the nation to join the fight for every heartbeat and show support by wearing red and hosting an event to fund life-saving heart research. Heart and circulatory disease is responsible for almost 160,000 deaths in the UK each year, an average of 440 people each day. There are currently seven million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory disease.

Gary Brook, Leeds Building Society’s head of corporate communication, said: “We wanted to get involved as we think the charity does great work. We are hoping to raise money for the BHF to help them to fund the research that is so urgently needed to fight heart disease.”

Louise Parkes, fundraising director at the BHF, added: “Wear it Beat it is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together to fight against heart and circulatory disease.

“By organising a fundraising event on 6th February you will be helping us to raise much-needed funds for our life saving research. Our cutting –edge programme of research is powered by your generosity and support.

“Every pound raised will help make a massive difference to the millions of people living with these conditions.”