A local branch is in need of big-hearted people to hit the streets and shake some buckets around for a good cause.

The Tauranga branch of the Heart Foundation is offering its local community an opportunity to kick start a happier 2018 by taking part in its Big Heart Appeal street collection.

Collectors will not only help stop New Zealander's dying prematurely of one of the biggest killers, heart disease, but research proves volunteering also increases a person's happiness.

'We really need people to hit the streets of the Western Bay of Plenty to collect life-saving funds, while enjoying the opportunity to be out in their community doing good,” says local Heart Foundation staff member Marie Nilson.

'It is, however, sobering to think that during the short period of time that a volunteer will be out collecting donations, at least one New Zealander will have died of heart disease.”

Heart Foundation Medical Director Gerry Devlin says more than 6000 people die from heart disease every year in New Zealand.

'As a charity, we really need the support of New Zealanders in their local communities so we can make more life-saving research into heart disease possible,” says Gerry.

'We need many thousands of collectors nationwide to help us raise funds during our Big Heart Appeal, as these funds will be used to support heart-related research and specialist training for cardiologists who work in our communities throughout New Zealand.”

The Heart Foundation is New Zealand's leading independent funder of heart research. Since 1970, it has invested almost $60 million in research and specialist training.

'We also offer a wide range of activities devoted to helping support the 172,000 Kiwis currently living with heart disease, plus educational programmes and campaigns that promote heart attack awareness and heart-healthy living.”

If you are able to help out the Heart Foundation for a couple of hours as a street collector on February 23-24, visit: www.heartfoundation.org.nz/volunteer or contact Marie Nilson on: 07 575 4787.