Privacy Policy
Heart Buddies
Effective date: 26 May 2026
At Heart Buddies, we care deeply about protecting your privacy and handling your information respectfully and securely.
This Privacy Policy explains how Heart Buddies collects, uses, stores and protects personal information when you visit our website or interact with us.
1. Who We Are
Heart Buddies supports children and families affected by congenital heart disease and open heart surgery through comfort items, community encouragement and opportunities for families to connect and support one another.
Heart Buddies does not currently provide counselling, therapy, medical advice or clinical services.
For privacy related questions please contact:
Email:
info@heartbuddies.org
Organisation:
Heart Buddies
Website:
heartbuddies.org
2. Information We Collect
Information you provide directly
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Postal address
- Donation information
- Messages submitted through enquiry forms
- Volunteer enquiries
- Partnership enquiries
- Fundraising enquiries
- Information shared when requesting support
Information collected automatically
- IP address
- Browser and device information
- Website usage information
- Technical cookies required for forms and website operation
Payment information
If you make a donation, payments are processed securely by our payment providers.
Heart Buddies does not store full payment card information.
3. How We Use Your Information
- Respond to enquiries
- Process donations
- Provide comfort and support initiatives
- Manage fundraising and partnerships
- Improve the website experience
- Send updates where permission has been given
- Meet legal obligations
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Under UK data protection law, we process personal information using one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Consent
- Contract
- Legitimate interests
- Legal obligation
5. Donations
When you donate to Heart Buddies, information may be shared securely with payment providers only where necessary to process donations and maintain records.
We do not sell donor information.
6. Cookies
Heart Buddies currently uses only limited cookies required for:
- Website functionality
- Enquiry and contact forms
- Basic website security
- Loading Google Fonts where used
Heart Buddies does not currently use analytics tracking or advertising cookies.
Please see our Cookie Policy for further information.
7. Third Party Services
Trusted providers may be used to operate parts of our website.
- Website hosting providers
- Donation providers
- Email communication tools
- Form processing services
- Google Fonts
8. Data Retention
We only retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to meet legal obligations.
9. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law you may have rights to:
- Access your information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion
- Restrict processing
- Object to processing
- Withdraw consent
- Request transfer of information
10. Children and Family Information
Because Heart Buddies supports children and families, we take additional care when handling information relating to children.
Information relating to children should be submitted by a parent, guardian or authorised adult where appropriate.
11. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to help protect information from loss, misuse or unauthorised access.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. Any updates will appear on this page.
13. Contact Us
Email:
info@heartbuddies.org
Website:
heartbuddies.org