The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Moving Hearts Appeal has raised £60,000 for a portable heart ultrasound machine for the Cardiac Centre and Heart and Lung Unit at Torbay Hospital.

The equipment was officially handed across to the hospital by Torquay United Chief Executive Colin Lee, who is patron of the appeal, earlier today. Also in attendance were staff from Torbay Hospital, the British Heart Foundation and many local supporters and volunteers.

Dr. Cathy Carey, Consultant Cardiologist at Torbay Hospital, explains: ''A portable heart ultrasound machine will make a huge difference to patients at Torbay Hospital. We will be able to avoid transporting patients when they are at their most vulnerable, yet provide speedy diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, this machine will save lives.''

Popular Paignton pub landlady Sally Frizzel was only 38 when the breathlessness and seasonal bouts of chest infections that she had been experiencing were diagnosed as heart failure. Working as she did in a smoky environment, she was initially treated for asthma, before eventually being referred to a heart specialist at Torbay Hospital and given a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram). Thanks to the heart ultrasound, Sally was diagnosed immediately with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure. Being so young, this came as a real shock, as this is a life threatening condition. Fortunately for Sally, it was found to be treatable with medication. Further tests and subsequent scans have enabled Sally, now aged 48, to be fitted with a pacemaker and she feels much more like her old self.

Sally comments: ''The care that I have received from the team at Torbay Hospital has been absolutely brilliant. Without the heart ultrasound, they would never have discovered what was wrong with me, until it was possibly too late. I know how traumatic it can be to go from being a healthy person to being a patient. I want to make this experience as positive as possible for other people facing my situation.''

Owen Penney, local Fundraising Manager for the BHF said: ''In a little over eight months, the local supporters and volunteers have raised a staggering amount of money, with many events organised and donations given. I would personally like to thank members of the local golf clubs, local business, Masonic lodges, supermarkets, heart support groups, dance schools, Torquay United and Colin Lee in particular; the local BHF Torbay committee who have been fantastic and of course all the individuals who have phoned me with their offers of help and donations.

''It has been wonderful to be part of a local appeal, to buy life-saving equipment for a local hospital that will be used by local people. Alas, we're still facing an enormous challenge. Heart and circulatory disease is still the biggest cause of premature death in the UK, and 2.6 million people are living with its debilitating effects.''

United Chief Executive and appeal patron Colin Lee spoke to the invited guests: ''It doesn't seem such a long time ago that we were actually launching the appeal, back in October last year I remember saying to the committee that I had never been asked to be a patron of an appeal before and how honoured I was to be involved. In recent times there have been publicised incidents involving professional footballers who have been found to have heart conditions and when the foundation approached me about becoming patron I accepted immediately. I am absolutely delighted that we at Torquay United were able to help and start the ball rolling for such a worthwhile cause. The club was pleased to be able to make a donation of the Charity Shield money received from the Football Association towards the £60,000 target of the appeal. I would like to congratulate everyone involved for achieving the target so quickly.''

If you would like to be part of the British Heart Foundation's band of supporters, please call Owen Penney on 01822 612310 or e-mail penneyo@bhf.org.uk

The British Heart Foundation is the nation's heart charity. Visit www.bhf.org.uk for more information.