A VOLUNTEER who has spent the last 25 years with somebody else's heart beating inside his chest is backing a new health campaign.

Steve Syer, of Brockworth, is one of the longest surviving heart transplant patients in the UK.

The 66-year-old is vice-chairman of the Cheltenham branch of the British Heart Foundation and has pledged his support to the charity's Hand on Heart campaign.

The drive aims to boost numbers of people giving up their time to fight against heart disease by volunteering in BHF shops and organising fundraising events.

Steve said: "I wanted to make the most of the extra years I'd been granted and give something back to the charity that funded the research that helped give me a second chance.

"I've met all sorts of different people through volunteering and it's great fun."

The Cheltenham BHF branch was the first in the country to raise £1million – a figure it reached in 2005.

The group was founded in 1969 and has since worked tirelessly to raise money, organising events like the popular Cotswolds Bike Ride, which raises about £30,000 every year.

Steve said: "It's because of some of the volunteer work that goes on that new breakthroughs in heart treatment can be made, with funds going directly to medical research.

"The majority of the Cheltenham branch are in their 70s so we are looking to recruit more young people as volunteers.

"Ongoing research means treatment for heart conditions is improving all the time and it's vital that we pass the baton on to the next generation so that funds can continue to be raised.

"I would encourage anybody with spare time on their hands to come down to one of the BHF shops to find out more about what it means to be a volunteer."

BHF fundraising volunteer manager Kathee Coonerty said: "The BHF would not be able to save lives through pioneering heart research or provide care for patients through our network of nurses and Heart HelpLine without the vital funds raised by our dedicated volunteers.

"This June we're asking you to put your hand on your heart and support the BHF by donating your time.

"You can volunteer any way you want to and we'd love to hear your ideas on how you want to help."

For more information about volunteering for BHF, visit www.bhf.org.uk/volunteer or call 0300 4568353.