LITTLE Imogen Tankard is used to fundraising for a cause close to her own heart.

The four-year-old had open heart surgery when she was just six months old after doctors realised her chest infections were something more serious.

Imogen's mum, Vicky Dalby, recalls the tense and distressing time as she waited while Imogen underwent the eight hour operation. "I didn't know whether she would survive. I sat praying the whole time that she would pull through."

Thankfully, Imogen made a full recovery and in gratitude for the care and support she received she and her family have been busy fundraising ever since.

Vicky says seeing a newspaper advert for a family fun run being organised by Heart Research UK prompted them to get involved with the charity.

Although she was only two at the time, Imogen participated in the three mile event in her pushchair and with the support of her family.

"She was in the pushchair but she did get out a couple of times, " recalls Vicky.

Imogen has completed the course three times since and through supporting the charity she and her family have found out more about it. Through personal experience they have also learned about the importance of heart research and how vital it is.

Vicky says research into heart disease helped to save her daughter's life. “Without research Imogen wouldn’t be here today, so I’m urging people to get behind events like Sing for Your Heart, which is one of Heart Research UK’s biggest fundraisers, and help other child heart patients like Imogen.”

Imogen and her family are also used to using their vocal skills to raise funds for this important cause after previously gathering together for a fundraising karaoke at home.

And, according to Vicky, Imogen loves to sing and even has her own microphone!

Now Imogen, along with her fellow pupils at Broadgate Primary school in Horsforth, are hosting a Sing for Your Heart event next month (December) to raise funds to help other heart patients.

"It's just good fun because anybody can take part, you can do it in the office, at home," says Vicky.

She says hosting a singing event is also something families can do with their children. "At this time of year it's a bit cold when you are wanting to do something with your children but singing is the perfect thing, you are in the warmth and a lot of people are doing them in shopping centres, getting a choir together it becomes a nice festive event and it is something you can do with the children."

As well as raising money for a vital cause, you can also improve your health. Singing is good for your heart and recent studies have shown that the health benefits are physical and psychological because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream.

Heart Research UK is hoping other fundraisers will follow Imogen's lead and is appealing for singers, choirs, music groups, pubs and performers to put on their own event.

Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK says: “Everyone can Sing for their Hearts, whether you’re in a band, choir or just partial to a bit of karaoke,” she said. “It’s the perfect excuse to get together with friends, family and colleagues to have fun and raise money for Heart Research UK particularly in the run up to Christmas when everyone is feeling festive.”

Singing is also shown to be good for your heart. Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years.

He says: "The health benefits of singing are both physical and psychological. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting.“

A more recent study was carried out at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden into music and wellbeing which showed how musical structure influenced the heart rate of choir members. Bjorn Vickhoff, who led a study, said: “Singing is good for your health. Our research indicates that it may even be good for your heart. Further research in this field is much needed, such as the long term effect of choir singing.”

You can also follow Heart Research UK on Twitter: @heartresearchuk or become a fan of our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Research-UK/10733061906