The Bermuda Heart Foundation is encouraging everyone to wear red next month in support of a campaign against the Island's number one killer, heart disease.

The group is to launch 'Let's Go Red – Together We Can Make a Difference' with the aid of several community leaders – Premier Ewart Brown, Governor Sir Richard Gozney and Health Minister Nelson Bascome will all sport red next Friday as a means of highlighting the campaign.

With February Heart Smart Month, foundation chairman David Mutch and executive director Simone Barton are calling on residents to become better aware of the risks for heart disease and take greater steps to making Bermuda a healthy heart community.

Said Ms Barton: "The Bermuda Heart Foundation has latched onto the significance of red and the grandeur of the heart. Our message to the community is to take action against the factors that promote heart disease, and develop healthy living."

The foundation has planned a series of community events for the month of February including educational workshops, presentations and free screenings.

The campaign officially kicks off on Sunday with a Heart Smart Mystery Walk based around the premise of the board game Clue.

Next Friday, the Bermuda Heart Foundation is asking everyone to wear red to raise heart health awareness.

"It's simple to do. Gentlemen can wear a red tie, and ladies a red sweater," said Ms Barton. "To demonstrate that health conscious activities can also be fun, cooking classes and even an old school jump rope event has been put on the programme."

The executive director added: "Heart healthcare is not just a 28-day challenge, it is a lifetime responsibility. Hence, 2009 will be the commencement of the 'Be Heart Smart Movement'. We will be creating new programmes available year round, that promote awareness and advocate healthy living.

"Awareness that you or your loved ones may already be victims of heart disease just might have you seeing red so join us in the fight against the things that put us at risk. Be a champion of heart disease prevention – Let's go red. Together we can make a difference."

A complete calendar of events will be listed in newspapers and www.mybermudaheart.bm. Interested persons can also contact Ms Barton on 239-2052.