A madcap charity drive where a hospital bed toured Kingston’s town centre has helped raise hundreds of pounds for the fight against heart disease.

Kingston Hospital celebrated the 10th anniversary of world heart day on Sunday, September 26, by raising almost £1,000 from their annual bed push around the Bentall Centre and the market place.

The hospital’s chief executive, Kate Grimes, said the cash will be used to purchase equipment for the cardiac department.

Ms Grimes said: “The hospital is grateful for the hard work the Kingston Cardiac Support Trust has done.

“Raising this money for the cardiology department will go a long way to help treat and care for our cardiac patients here at Kingston Hospital.”

Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist, Elizabeth Hammond, said: “More than 17m people die each year due to cardiovascular disease and it is essential we do everything we can to bring this number down.”

Dr Hammond recommended that, to avoid heart problems, residents should do 30 minutes of daily exercise, reduce their salt intake, eat plenty of fibre, and avoid smoking and fatty foods.