Local SNP MSP Derek Mackay has welcomed the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) National Wear Red Day on 24 February 2012. This will involve wearing something red to work or school in return for a donation to the British Heart Foundation.

This year’s fundraising day follows the BHF's report, Coronary Heart Disease Statistics 2012, which suggests that coronary heart disease leads to more than 8,000 mortalities every year in Scotland. 
Figures show that almost 900 people in Renfrewshire died from heart disease between 2008 and 2010, working out at around 155 fatalities per 100,000 residents, putting Renfrewshire as one of the worst local authority areas for heart disease across the UK, sitting in the top 30 out of 408 council areas.
 
However, Renfrewshire is doing a number of things to improve the situation, such as the Keep Well programme.
 
Commenting Mr Mackay said;
 
“Coronary heart disease is linked closely to diet and lifestyle habits, and is therefore preventable.  I would urge people to look at their lifestyles and see what small changes they can make to help improve their chances of beating coronary heart disease.
 
“Before becoming a Minister I was part of the Cross Party Group on Heart Disease and Stroke and I also launched Paisley as a British Heart Foundation Heart town last year.
 
“I would encourage individuals, businesses and organisations to take part in the National Wear Red Day appeal to raise funds for use in tackling this condition.”