A support group for those affected by heart problems will cease operations after almost two decades.

In a final gesture of goodwill, the Cardiac Resource Group donated more than $3,000 of its funds to the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust, the Agape House hospice and the Bermuda Red Cross.

“Unfortunately, our membership has been dwindling over the years due to death, our members’ declining health, caring for family and personal obligations,” Doris Bailey said on behalf of the group.

“Reluctantly, the group decided to cease operations and donate the funds in our account to charity.”

Ms Bailey said they chose to donate to BHCT by buying a brick on the Legacy Walkway, while Agape House was selected because of the “valuable services they provide to terminal patients”.

“Bermuda Red Cross was chosen because they are usually the first to respond to local and global tragedy. CRG feels that all three are very worthy charities,” she added.

CRG started as a support group for those who had experienced heart problems, their families and their caregivers, as well as anyone interested in avoiding heart disease. It was a non-profit organisation, but not a registered charity.

“We never did any public fundraising: the money in our account was donations from individual members when we had meetings,” Ms Bailey said.

“When we decided to fold, the members wanted to share the funds instead of giving all to one charity. Based on the account balance we wanted to make a minimal donation of $1,000 which is why we chose three charities.”

The group gave $1,051 to BCHT, and $1,054 each to Agape House Hospice and the Bermuda Red Cross.

Ms Bailey added: “It is with a very heavy heart and deep regret that CRG will cease to exist, but we have vowed to be supportive of each other and stay in touch as much as we can.”

For about 20 years, the CRG held a series of free and well-attended public health talks during Heart Month.

“Our speakers gave freely of their time and knowledge without any expectations of compensation. We are eternally thankful for their participation and generosity,” Ms Bailey said.

“As you can imagine, finding speakers and organising such an event is not an easy task.”

She said Edward Schultz, the director of emergency services and hyperbaric medicine and the director of advanced cardiac life-support courses at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, stood out in particular for his support.

“He is an excellent speaker and always attracted a crowd. We will never be able to stop singing his praises,” she added.

The group is also grateful to Jeff Richardson, Sharon Swann and Lena Ostroff, of KEMH, for their assistance during Heart Month.

“We would also like to thank the general public and especially our members who supported us throughout the years,” Ms Bailey said. “Special thanks to Ken and Jackie Morris who were two of the original founding members.”

The group also acknowledged professional speakers David Saul, Susan Adehmar, Simone Barton, Kyjuan Brown, Janet Burull, Myrian Dill, John Doherty, Henry Dowling, Hilary Evans, Mellonie Furbert, Leonard Gibbons, Debbie Jones, Karen Leseur, Carl Levick, Sara McKittrick, Anne Mello, Sam Mir, Susie Noel-Simmons, the late Devrae Noel-Simmons, Hannah Simpson, Jessica Wade and Wilbert Warner. Ms Bailey thanked Corrina Rego, Hubert Jones and Doreen Blee for their special support.