Our supporters
Take a look at all those who have got involved with Know Your Numbers!
MPs, famous faces and hundreds of organisations lend their support to Know Your Numbers! Week every year.
We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all those who have taken part in Know Your Numbers! Week – the healthcare professionals who have given blood pressure checks, the organisations who have hosted Pressure Stations, the people who have donated time or funds, and the numerous others who have promoted the event or raised awareness of high blood pressure.
Take a look at some of those who have been involved.
MPs
MPs from all sides of Parliament lend their support to the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing campaign.
David Blunkett, Former MP for Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough
“I got to know my numbers almost 20 years ago when I discovered that high blood pressure was the cause of my dizziness. Knowing the truth helps you do something about it and continue life as normal, even when under the most enormous pressure as I was in my eight years in government. Preventing strokes or heart attacks is a benefit of our modern NHS so it is good common sense to get checked out and put things right before it’s too late.”
Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead and former Prime Minister
“I’m getting my blood pressure checked and supporting the Blood Pressure Association’s Know your Numbers! Week because it’s vital that people realise the importance of good blood pressure health. I hope everyone living in the Maidenhead constituency will take the opportunity to stop by for their free and convenient blood pressure check.”
Anna Soubry, MP for Broxtowe
"I'm getting my blood pressure checked and supporting the Blood Pressure Association's Know your Numbers! Week because it's vital that people realise the importance of good blood pressure health. I hope everyone living in the Broxtowe constituency will take the opportunity to stop by for their free and convenient blood pressure check."
Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge
"Everyone should know their blood pressure. If you haven't had yours checked in the last year why not take advantage of Blood Pressure UK's invitation to Know Your Numbers! Week and find out yours. You can visit a Pressure Station near you, measure your own blood pressure at home or pop in to your local pharmacy."
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire
"People of all ages can suffer from high blood pressure and therefore the only way to reduce your risk of a stroke or heart disease is to have a blood pressure check. Every adult should know their most vital statistic – their blood pressure. It could save your life."
Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK's Know Your Numbers! Week 2016 because high blood pressure causes strokes and CVD. It is important for every adult to know their blood pressure numbers so they know their risk. Know Your Numbers!, Know Your Risks!"
Councillor Achilleas Georgiou, The Deputy Leader of Enfield Council
"I had my blood pressure taken just to show how quick and easy it was to do. It is painless, easy and gives vital information about your health. Don't put it off."
Dr James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd
Jenny Chapman, MP for Darlington
Rachel Maskell, MP for York Central
Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives
Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers Week from 14th – 20th September because in the time it takes to boil a kettle you could have taken a blood pressure test. It’s so simple and something that could save the lives of people in my constituency”
Justin Madders, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK's Know Your Numbers! Week from 14th-20th September because taking steps to lower blood pressure is something we can all do to improve our general health. I would like to urge as many of my constituents as possible to drop in to a Pressure Station near them to have a free blood pressure check. However, if they are not able to or there isn't a Pressure Station near to them, then I would encourage them to visit their GP or try home blood pressure monitoring as it is vital they know their numbers or pop in to their local pharmacy as many pharmacies do offer free blood pressure checks".
Councillor Rob Waltham, North Lincolnshire Council
“High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms – that’s why it’s called the silent killer. It is vital that you get your health checked, particularly if you suspect something isn’t quite right".
Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, 2015
“I want to urge as many people as possible to drop in to either of the two Pressure Stations in Crawley to have a free blood pressure check.
“You can also visit your GP, or try home blood pressure monitoring. Many pharmacies also offer free blood pressure checks.
“I am pleased to support Blood Pressure UK – the only UK-wide charity dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of every adult knowing their blood pressure, and then taking steps to lower it.
“My thanks to the volunteers who will be running the Pressure Stations in Crawley and across the country.”
Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East, 2015
"I am supporting the Know Your Numbers! Week campaign. The numbers speak for themselves. One in three people in the UK - about 16 million - have high blood pressure and getting tested regularly is essential."
Grahame Morris, MP for Easington, 2015
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week from September 14 to 20 because each year 120,000 adults in the UK have a heart attack or stroke in which high blood pressure is a key factor – that’s a preventable stroke or heart attack happening every four minutes.
“It is shocking to realise that one in three adults has high blood pressure, yet eight million of us do not know and are not receiving treatment.
“This is a health issue that will affect many constituents, so I hope that as many people as possible have a free blood pressure check to reduce their risk.”
Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK because it is vital that people get their blood pressure checked as it can have serious consequences for their health. I am glad to see the work being carried out by Blood Pressure UK and was pleased to visit Whitworth Pharmacy in Earby during Know Your Numbers! Week to get mine checked. I would urge people to do the same for what is a relatively quick test that has massive benefits.”
Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK because having high blood pressure is a major but preventable cause of both heart disease and stroke, and as many as one in three adults suffers from the condition. But I was even more shocked to learn that eight million of them don’t even know it, and are not therefore receiving treatment".
“Each year 120,000 adults in the UK have a heart attack or stroke in which high blood pressure is a key factor – that's a preventable stroke or heart attack every four minutes. But taking steps to lower blood pressure is something we can all do to improve our general health, and this begins with knowing your blood pressure. So, I hope that as many people as possible will join me in having a blood pressure check to reduce their risk.”
David Amess, MP for Southend West
Graeme Morrice, MP for Livingston
“I am pleased to support Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Numbers!’ week because it is shocking to realise that one in three adults have high blood pressure, yet 5 million of them don’t even know it. This is a health issue that will affect thousands of my constituents so I hope that as many people as possible have a free blood pressure check to reduce their risk.”
Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week from 16th-22nd September because everyone should know their blood pressure. If you haven’t had yours checked in the last year why not take advantage of Blood Pressure UK’s invitation to “Know Your Numbers! and find out yours.”
David Burrowes, MP for Enfield Southgate
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week from 16th-22nd September because it is shocking to realise that one in three adults has high blood pressure, 5 million of whom do not even know it. This is a health issue that will affect many of my own constituents so I hope that as many people as possible have a free blood pressure to reduce their risk.”
Brian Donohoe, MP for Central Ayrshire
Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK's Know Your Numbers! Week because high blood pressure too often goes unnoticed and it's consequences, such as stroke and heart disease, can be devastating. Taking steps to lower blood pressure is something we can all do to improve our general health."
Nick De Bois, MP for Enfield North
“As Co- Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Public Health and Primary Care I have a deep interest in ensuring we all take steps to prevent ill health and improve the quality of our lives. Blood pressure control is a vital step towards avoiding preventable conditions.
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK's Know Your Numbers! Week from 16th-22nd September because taking steps to lower blood pressure is something we can all do to improve our general health. Each year 120,000 adults in the UK have a heart attack or stroke in which high blood pressure is a key factor – that's a preventable stroke or heart attack every 4 minutes.
“If you want to lower your blood pressure, you can start today with just a handful of changes to your weekly shop – less salt and fat, and more fruit and vegetables – it's as easy as that.”
Frank Doran, MP for Aberdeen North
"I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week from 16-22 September 2013 because high blood pressure often goes unnoticed and its consequences, heart disease and stroke, are devastating. I would urge my constituents to have it checked for free at one of the Pressure Station’s in Aberdeen".
Charles Kennedy, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber
“Blood Pressure UK plays an important role in combating the increasingly prevalent blood pressure-related health problems affecting the UK. The Know your Numbers! campaign is an excellent event that consistently manages to raise awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure, this essential work saves lives.
“Blood pressure problems are a creeping threat to millions of people in the UK, thanks to the efforts of Blood Pressure UK we can catch high blood pressure before it threatens lives, and often successfully manage the problem with only a handful of changes to our weekly shop.”
Famous faces
A host of celebrities support the Know your Numbers! campaign. We would like to thank everyone pictured here for their support.
Wirral ‘Gogglebox’ star Viv Woerndenweber
Viv had her blood pressure checked and urged local residents in Wirral to do the same. She said: “Know Your Numbers! Week is a fantastic initiative, helping to identify people living with undiagnosed high blood pressure and raising awareness of this silent killer.”
Rachel Khoo
Celebrity chef, writer and broadcaster, Rachel Khoo, provided us with some delicious low salt recipes, showing how tasty life can be without salt.
Ian Wright
“It is vital that we all become much more aware of the need to have regular blood pressure check-ups and make relatively simple changes to our lives. For example, if we limit our salt intake, eat more fruit and vegetables and become more active we will reduce our risks of having a heart attack or stroke.”
Esther Rantzen
“I am supporting Blood Pressure UK because it is shocking to realise that one in three adults has high blood pressure, yet 5 million of them don’t even know it. I hope that as many people as possible have a free blood pressure check to reduce their risk.”
Chris Packham
"High blood pressure is a major but preventable cause of both heart disease and stroke, and therefore I am pleased to show my support and let as many people as possible know that that they too can know their blood pressure numbers and lower their risk”
Amanda Redman (Centre)
"High blood pressure is a silent killer and one of the biggest causes of death in the UK. Blood Pressure UK is doing a great job in raising awareness for such an important cause, and we must all now act and have our blood pressure taken".
Alun Armstrong (second from right)
"The fact that 16 million people in the UK suffer from high blood pressure yet only a third of that are aware of it, highlights the importance of Know Your Numbers! Week by Blood Pressure UK. I am pleased to be a part of such a crucial campaign that encourages adults to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure".
Sian Lloyd, ITV Weather Presenter
"I wish the Blood Pressure Association the very best of luck with the blood pressure testing World Record attempt during Know your Numbers! Week 2010. It's a great way of highlighting the importance of regular blood pressure checks and I hope everyone in Cardiff lends their support to help make it into the record books."
Michael Aspel
"High blood pressure affects so many people, yet because it doesn't have obvious symptoms it's one of those conditions that just isn't taken seriously enough - until it's too late. I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to have a quick, free and painless blood pressure check, as it's the first step we can all take in reducing our risk of serious health problems."
Timothy West and Prunella Scales
Timothy West said: "I'm supporting the Blood Pressure Assocation's Know your Numbers! campaign because I know at first hand the importance of having regular blood pressure checks. I was unexpectedly diagnosed with high blood pressure following a routine medical examination. That was more than 20 years ago, and now my blood pressure hovers at controlled levels. But the first step to reducing your blood pressure is to know your numbers."
Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter
Rudolph Walker, who plays Patrick Trueman in Eastenders, said: "I'm supporting the Blood Pressure Association's Know your Numbers! campaign because high blood pressure is an important issue that affects so many people, particularly those in the African Caribbean community. A close friend suffered a heart attack resulting from high blood pressure, so I know how it can affect people's lives."
Angela Wynter, who played Yolande Trueman in Eastenders, said: "It's shocking to realise that high blood pressure affects one in three people, yet a third are unaware they have it because it doesn't have obvious symptoms. Having regular blood pressure checks is the first step to reducing risk of stroke and heart disease. That's why I am supporting the Blood Pressure Association's Know your Numbers! campaign and urge everyone to have a quick, free and painless blood pressure check."
Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell, businessman and original winner of The Apprentice, said: "I think it's really important to be aware of the preventable effects of high blood pressure. Everyone knows their height and weight but no one seems to know their blood pressure numbers. Because there are no symptoms it's imperative to check it so you can quickly mitigate any consequences. Lots of subjects are taboo - especially when dealing with negative health issues - so it's important to have positive campaigns like Know your Numbers! which use recognisable faces to highlight the importance of taking control of your blood pressure."
Ashley Walters, actor, singer and former So Solid crew member
"I've chosen to support the Know your Numbers! campaign because high blood pressure is something we all need to be aware of. My mother has high blood pressure, and I remember her visiting the doctor when I was younger and coming back with the news, but it's being managed now. There's a lot of fear in people, especially in Black men, about the state of their health, but we all need to keep on top of it."
Daddy Ernie and Josie D'Arby
Colin Jackson
TV Presenter and former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson said:
"I fully support the Blood Pressure Association’s Know your Numbers!® campaign. High blood pressure is the biggest cause of death and disability through strokes and heart disease in the UK, but we can all take steps to reduce our risk. Along with eating a healthy diet, exercise plays a vital part in lowering blood pressure, and you don’t have to reach Olympic status like me to make a big difference to your health.
"Just being more active, such as using the stairs rather than the lift, taking the dog on a longer walk, cycling to work or taking up a sport you enjoy will all make a difference. "But the first step to reducing your risk is to know your numbers, so make the time to have a quick and painless blood pressure check today."
Saira Khan
TV presenter and former contestant on BBC One’s The Apprentice, said
"I am supporting the Blood Pressure Association’s KYN! campaign because I believe it’s really important for us all to start taking responsibility for our own health.
"Since people of South Asian descent are more likely to have diabetes or a heart attack, it’s vital that we keep our blood pressure well controlled. High blood pressure affects one in three people in the UK, and is the biggest cause of death and disability through stroke and heart attack. But by having a quick, free and painless blood pressure check, we can all take the first step in reducing our risk."
Michael Duberry and John Oster
Reading Football Club’s Michael Duberry (defender) and John Oster (midfielder) supported the campaing, saying:
"It’s shocking to learn that there are millions of people out there who have high blood pressure but are unaware of it, and are putting themselves at risk of stroke and heart attack. Having a blood pressure check is quick, painless and free, so tell your mum, dad, friends - everyone you know – to get their blood pressure checked during the BPA’s Know Your Numbers! Week to help them stay healthy – now and in the future."
Organisations
It’s not possible for us to list everyone here, but Blood Pressure UK would like to thank everyone who takes part in or supports Know your Numbers! Week each year.
Here are some.
Supporters
Pressure Stations
Hundreds of Pressure Stations across the UK provide free blood pressure checks. Major pharmacy chains that take part in Know your Numbers! Week include:
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Avicenna |
Community Pharmacies |
Davidsons Chemist |
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Healthy Living Pharmacies |
Manor Pharmacy |
Murrays Healthcare |
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Paydens |
PCT Healthcare |
SG Court |
Participants in Know your Numbers! Week also include:
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Abertay University |
ABPI |
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Alsager Leisure Centre |
Anmol Pharmacy |
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Barony Park Sports Complex |
Boots |
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Bromley Farm Community Centre |
C&H Barton Ltd |
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C.K & Sons Pharmacy |
Cambridge University Hospitals |
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Cambridgeshire & Peterborough CCG |
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust |
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Cheshire East Council - Ruby's Fund |
Cheshire East Council - 1st Floor, Westfields, Macclesfield |
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Camlough Pharmacy |
Carlisle Brakes |
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Chapel Pharmacy |
Chelford Community Hub & Chelford Together |
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Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
Cheshire East Council |
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Congleton Community Partnership CIC |
Congleton Leisure Centre |
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Cornwall Council |
Crewe Lifestyle Centre |
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Distinction Doors Ltd |
Eastern Cheshire CCG |
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Elite Health |
Empire Gym & Studios |
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Extracare Charitable Trust |
GLL |
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GLL Better |
Goostrey Village Hall |
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Gracewell of Frome |
Healthwatch Halton |
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Healthy Hearts |
Holmes Chapel Community Centre |
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Homeserve Membership Limited |
Kalsons Limited |
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Kamal Enterprises |
Keencare Pharmacy |
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Kelling Pharmacy |
Kepple Lane Pharmacy |
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Kingdom Housing Association |
Knutsford Leisure Centre |
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Leicester City Council |
Lincs Inspire |
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Little Grove Pharmacy |
Livewell - Derby City Council |
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Lloyds Pharmacy Soham Mere |
London Borough of Bromley |
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Mac Clinical Research |
Macclesfield Leisure Centre |
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Mackenzies Pharmacy |
Magna Vitae |
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Market Chemist |
McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd |
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McCarthy and Stone |
McConnell Pharmacy |
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Medway Council - Smokefree Advice Centre |
Middlewich Methodist Church |
*It’s not possible for us to list everyone here, but Blood Pressure UK would like to thank everyone who takes part in or supports Know your Numbers! Week each year.
Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ
