Pumping Marvellous

The Pumping Marvellous Foundation (PMF) is the UK’s patient-led Heart Failure charity. It was founded by a heart failure patient whose experiences during rehabilitation shaped the Foundation’s goals and principles, emphasising a patient-centric approach focused on improving patient outcomes.

The beneficiaries of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation are all individuals living with heart failure, along with their family and friends. The charity’s aim is to instil HOPE in its recipients by promoting better outcomes through collaboration and advocacy at local, regional, national, and international levels. It works closely with all stakeholders to develop better pathways and serve as the patient’s voice for progress. Our services include patient-driven solutions, created by patients and guided but not controlled by the Foundation, available in both printed and online formats. The Pumping Marvellous Foundation is funded through donations and fundraising by individuals, support from the NHS, charitable organisations, corporate sponsorship and hands-off grants.

Heart failure is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management and support. Around 75% of heart failure diagnoses are linked to persistent high blood pressure or myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. Advances in treatment mean more people are surviving heart attacks, although some may go on to develop heart failure.

Heart failure can place significant pressure on individuals, families, carers and the health system, with high levels of hospital admissions and readmissions. It accounts for over 2% of total A&E admissions. However, with the right care, treatment, education and self-management support, people living with heart failure can manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

The Pumping Marvellous Foundation’s core value is to promote HOPE for people living with heart failure, as well as their carers and families. We do this through education, peer-to-peer coaching, practical self-care support and lived-experience insight. By helping people and families better understand and manage heart failure, we aim to improve outcomes while also helping to reduce pressure on the wider health economy.

The charity is based in Preston, UK. It has a network of regional volunteers called ‘Patient Educators’ who deliver the charity’s core messages and actively participate in campaigns, publications, literature distribution, and local relationship building. Additionally, we maintain a strong online presence that allows the charity to reach out and drive progress in heart failure care through increased engagement with clinicians, patients, and their families.

Our services and information enhance the ability of heart failure patients to self-manage by recognising early symptoms and taking self-interventions and steps to alleviate common issues. Investing in the Pumping Marvellous Foundation is a small cost compared to ignoring the heart failure problem.