British Heart Foundation

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) was established in 1961 by a group of medical professionals who were alarmed by the rising toll of heart disease in the UK. At the time, cardiovascular disease was poorly understood and treatments were limited. The founders — cardiologists, physiologists, and GPs — pooled their expertise and fundraising energy to create a charity dedicated to defeating heart and circulatory diseases through research, education, and care.

The BHF opened its first charity shops during the 1980s and has grown its retail network to over 750 shops across the UK, making it one of the country's largest charity retailers. A standout feature of BHF shops is their acceptance of large household furniture and electrical goods — items many other charity shops decline. The BHF has its own logistics operation and can arrange free home collections for large donations, which sets it apart from most other chains.

All electrical items donated to the BHF are PAT tested (Portable Appliance Tested) by trained volunteers before being put on sale, giving buyers confidence that goods are safe and in working order. This commitment to quality and safety has made BHF shops a destination for people looking for second-hand appliances, sofas, and bedroom furniture at low prices.

The money raised in BHF shops funds some of the UK's most important cardiovascular research. BHF-funded scientists have contributed to breakthroughs including the development of statins, CPR techniques, and implantable defibrillators. The charity estimates that BHF research has helped halve the death rate from heart disease in the UK since it was founded.