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The Wolverhampton Coronary Aftercare Support Group (WCASG) marked its 40th anniversary in style on September 26 with a special dinner dance held at WV1 at Molineux. The mayor and mayoress of Wolverhampton joined members, volunteers, and supporters for the celebration, alongside the charity’s newly appointed patrons, sporting legends Hugh Porter and Anita Lonsbrough. Founded in 1985 by a small group of former cardiac patients, NHS staff, and health professionals, WCASG set out to help others recover from heart disease through education, exercise, and ongoing support. The group has since become a registered charity and remains Wolverhampton’s only dedicated heart support organisation. Over the past 40 years, WCASG has raised more than £2 million, funding vital NHS services, medical equipment, research projects, and long-term exercise programmes that have transformed lives across the region. The group’s outstanding contribution has been recognised nationally, with awards including an MBE for chairman Ken Timmis, an OBE for founder Gill Fenner, and the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour for a voluntary organisation. One of the charity’s biggest achievements is the creation of Have a Heart Wolverhampton, the city’s own cardiovascular rehabilitation centre, offering not just exercise and recovery, but also friendship, education, and hope for people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Around 120 guests attended the anniversary event, enjoying a three-course meal prepared by the Molineux catering team, followed by an awards presentation and a hilarious comedy performance from Doug Parker and concluded with dancing to music from Four Sounds Professional Disco. WCASG chair Ros Leslie said the evening was a celebration of “four decades of dedication and community spirit". She said: “From our small beginnings to the incredible organisation we have today, everything we’ve achieved is thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and the support of the people of Wolverhampton.”
