Our Hospitals Charity at James Cook University Hospital is fundraising to help create an Academic Cardiovascular Unit at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The money raised will enable existing space to be transformed into a leading edge facility and will include the creation of a dedicated clinical setting for patients in research trials as well as a reception, patient waiting area, new office space and a meeting room. Included in the plans is a cardiothoracic research facility which would be a focal point for the new unit and could help countless people around the world. It will focus on research which prevents heart attacks, develops exercise programmes in patients with heart problems and makes better use of data and digital technology in research. It will enable the trust to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence in cardiovascular research as well as leading the way across the north east region.