Dear Madam, - I’m writing to you to invite all children aged 11 and under in Northern Ireland to take part in British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland’s Bag It. Beat It. poster competition this September.

We would like children to design their own heart superhero, thinking about what he or she would look like, what super powers they’d have and how those powers would help to fight congenital heart disease.

The competition will support BHF Northern Ireland’s latest campaign, Bag It. Beat It., which urges the public to donate bags full of unwanted items to their local BHF shop. Every bag donated will help fund life-saving heart research; helping little heroes in Northern Ireland continue to fight congenital heart disease.

An estimated 150 children with congenital heart defects (1), often limiting their physical ability and quality of life, will start school this year in Northern Ireland but around 13 of their potential classmates will have lost their life before reaching school age (2). By supporting Bag it. Beat it. vital funds will be raised for further research.

The closing date for entries is Friday, September 26. One winner and one runner up will have their drawing made into a soft toy for them to keep. The winner’s drawing will be made into a poster which will be displayed in all 735 BHF shops throughout the UK during October. For more information on terms and conditions and how you can take part visit: http://bagit.bhf.org.uk/beat-it/design-a-heart-superhero/. Yours faifully, Philip Kee Area Support Manager BHF Northern Ireland