The Sussex Heart Charity

Charity Number: 1120998

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £181,668 (year ending 31 March 2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified; applications must be used within 6 months of award
  • Grant Range: £500 - £500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex

Contact Details

Website: www.sussexheartcharity.org

Email: info@sussexheartcharity.org

Phone: 01273 523026

Address: Southpoint, 8 Paston Place, Brighton, BN2 1HA

Overview

The Sussex Heart Charity was established in 1987 as a volunteer-led organization dedicated to improving the care, treatment, resuscitation, and rehabilitation of persons suffering from cardiac conditions across Sussex. The charity operates entirely on donations without any government support or NHS funding. In 2024, the organization received The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the UK's highest award for voluntary groups, equivalent to an MBE. With annual expenditure of £181,668, the charity funds cutting-edge cardiac equipment, community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, public defibrillator placement (nearly 400 AEDs installed to date), healthcare professional education, and innovative nurse-led services. The charity's strategic approach focuses on supplementing NHS provision rather than replacing statutory services, with a strong emphasis on community accessibility and lasting impact on cardiac healthcare in Sussex.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Equipment or Service Funding: Variable amounts (£36,000 - £500,000+ awarded)

  • Must supplement (not replace) NHS provision
  • Requires prior NHS Trust funding rejection with documentation
  • Applications accepted via online form
  • 6-month utilization deadline from award date

2. AED (Defibrillator) Community Funding: £900 - £1,100+ per device

  • Applicant contributes £900; charity funds remainder (total package £1,800-£2,000)
  • Must be externally mounted, freely accessible 24/7
  • Requires named Guardian and mains power connection
  • Location must be in East or West Sussex

3. Educational/Conference Bursaries: Up to £500 per person per academic year

  • Covers registration fees, travel, and accommodation for cardiac-related conferences
  • For healthcare professionals working in cardiac care
  • Multiple applications allowed if total doesn't exceed £500 annually
  • Requires line manager endorsement

4. Cardiac Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund: Variable amounts (introduced 2024)

  • Quick-access funding for smaller cardiac rehab projects
  • Must directly enhance patient rehabilitation environment
  • For recognized cardiac rehabilitation teams

5. Rescue Ready Programme: Free CPR and AED familiarization training

  • 10-14 spaces per session
  • Not a grant but a funded service for community groups across Sussex

Priority Areas

  • State-of-the-art cardiac care equipment for Sussex hospitals
  • Community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs and exercise classes
  • Public access defibrillators (AEDs) across Sussex
  • Healthcare professional development and education in cardiac care
  • Basic life support and AED awareness training for the public
  • Innovative nurse-led cardiac services
  • Research related to cardiac care improvements
  • Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes
  • Advanced Clinical Practitioner programmes

What They Don't Fund

  • Retrospective claims (applications for already-purchased items/services)
  • Equipment or services representing statutory NHS Trust responsibilities
  • Replacement of existing equipment (must be supplementary/additional)
  • Projects outside Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex
  • Incomplete applications
  • Projects without demonstrated mechanisms for ongoing maintenance and financial support
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 members, no trustees receive remuneration):

  • Peter David Mark Freeman - Chair (appointed October 2021)
  • Prudence Ruth Daniels - Trustee (appointed June 2025)
  • James Richard Williams - Trustee (appointed June 2025)
  • Dr Mark John Tomlinson - Trustee (appointed March 2023)
  • David Scott - Trustee (appointed October 2021)
  • Dr Emma Louise Hogan - Trustee (appointed October 2020)
  • Arionilson Pedro Gomes - Trustee (appointed September 2015)

Patron: Amanda Burton (actress)

The charity is entirely volunteer-led, with trustees bringing expertise from healthcare and community sectors. All grant decisions remain at the trustees' entire discretion based on merit, priority, and fund availability.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Sussex Heart Charity accepts applications through program-specific online forms available on their website:

Equipment or Service Funding:

  • Detailed proposal/business case
  • NHS response letters
  • Supplier quotes
  • Maintenance cost estimates
  • Declaration that internal funding has been sought

AED Funding: Complete online AED funding application form confirming £900 contribution, Guardian appointment, and suitable mains-powered location

Educational Bursaries:

  1. Seek line manager endorsement
  2. Complete online bursary application form
  3. Submit receipts/invoices promptly after event for reimbursement

Cardiac Rehabilitation Enhancement: Complete online application demonstrating direct patient benefit

General Requirements:

  • Provide detailed, accurate information (rushed/incomplete forms cause delays)
  • Applications reviewed based on eligibility criteria provided
  • Acceptance not guaranteed; assessed on merit and fund availability

Decision Timeline

  • Specific decision timeframes not publicly disclosed
  • Awards must be utilized within 6 months of notification or funding is withdrawn
  • Reimbursement for bursaries requires prompt submission of documentation after event completion

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria, merit, priority, and available funds at the trustees' discretion.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are publicly documented. Organizations can apply for different programs or submit new applications if circumstances change.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

  • Demonstrate NHS funding rejection first: For equipment/service funding, you must prove the NHS Trust has rejected your request and provide their reasoning. This is non-negotiable due to Charity Commission governance requiring the charity not to fund statutory NHS responsibilities.
  • Show lasting impact: The charity values projects demonstrating “how the knowledge and skills gained will have a lasting impact on professional development and benefit cardiac patients in the Sussex community.”
  • Prove sustainability: Applications must “guarantee mechanisms are in place for ongoing financial support and maintenance” of funded items.
  • Geographic alignment: Projects must serve populations in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, or West Sussex.

Specific Advice from the Charity:

  • For bursaries: “Research alternative funding sources before applying, including speaking to your line manager and investigating options available on IRIS.”
  • “Consider cost-effective travel options and carpooling with colleagues”
  • “Look for affordable accommodation options”
  • Take time completing forms: “Providing detailed and accurate information helps process applications quickly. Rushed or incomplete applications may cause delays.”
  • Provide “as much detail as possible on the form” to demonstrate eligibility

Recent Funded Projects (examples of successful applications):

  • £500,000 for Advanced Clinical Practitioner Programme at Sussex Cardiac Centre
  • £100,000 for 67 AED devices for Southern Railway stations across Sussex
  • £36,000 for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme
  • Central monitoring system for Coronary Care Unit
  • Gym equipment for cardiac rehabilitation patient exercise classes

Common Rejection Reasons:

  • Retrospective claims for already-purchased items
  • Incomplete applications
  • Requests for equipment/services falling under NHS statutory responsibilities
  • Lack of documented NHS funding rejection for equipment requests
  • Projects outside Sussex geographic area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • NHS rejection is mandatory for equipment/service funding: You must apply to your NHS Trust first and provide documented evidence of their rejection before the charity will consider your application—this is a governance requirement, not a preference
  • Emphasize supplementary nature: Frame your project as enhancing or adding to NHS provision, never replacing what the NHS should provide
  • Demonstrate sustainability: Show clear plans for ongoing maintenance, support, and long-term viability beyond the initial grant
  • Highlight patient impact: Focus on direct, measurable benefits to cardiac patients in Sussex communities
  • Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate your project serves Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, or West Sussex populations
  • Complete applications thoroughly: Take time to provide detailed information with all required documentation—incomplete forms are rejected outright
  • Respect the 6-month deadline: Have implementation plans ready; awarded funds must be used within 6 months or they're withdrawn
  • Leverage the charity's volunteer ethos: This is a community-focused, volunteer-led organization that values grassroots impact and accessibility for Sussex residents

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