Around 2,000 participants will forego a lie in this Sunday when they take to the streets for what has become an Auckland tradition; the Cathay Pacific Half Marathon and 11km Run and Walk. Along the way they'll be providing much needed funds for the official charity of the event; Heart Children New Zealand.
Organised by the Calliope Harriers Club, the Cathay Pacific Half Marathon and 11km Run and Walk is an event that has been held for 27 years and is still solely run by volunteers. For many participants it's become an annual trek that starts and finishes at the beautiful Orakei Domain.
All proceeds from the event are gifted to Heart Children. For Heart Children this has meant ongoing support for their CPR Scholarship, a scholarship based on Commitment, Passion and Results. Event funds also assist with Auckland Family Support activities; activities that enable heart families to get together, share and support each other.
Calliope's Malcolm Wade said he is delighted that they have been able to support Heart Children by way of a donation from event proceeds for several years now – it is a great cause."
"We are incredibly grateful to Calliope Harriers Club, for the surety these funds give us," says Heart Children NZ and Auckland Branch member Julie Neilsen. "Through this fantastic event seven scholarship recipients have been able to take up the opportunity for further development; heart youth, those working with heart families in a support role, people who can give back to Heart Children NZ and the community. It's a wonderful thing."
Heart Children NZ's CPR Scholarship was established in 2001. It marks the retirement of Chairman Jo Lawrence and acknowledges Jo's commitment, passion and results for Heart Children NZ in memory of Jo and husband Bill's daughter Abigail. Abigail passed away as a result of complex congenital heart defects.
There are 12 babies born every week with a heart defect, that's 600 every year. An additional number of children will develop a heart condition often through rheumatic fever. 450 open heart surgeries take place on children every year. Heart Children NZ is the only organisation dedicated to supporting these children and their families from birth through to adulthood and beyond.
Heart Children NZ began 25 years ago, the legacy of new Mums, Michelle Mann and Linda Davies who, despite the loss of their own heart children, set about easing the chronic need for parental support and information.
Today Heart Children NZ stretches across the nation, providing emotional assistance, information, education, training, advocacy, specialized equipment and friendship to thousands of children, youth, adults and their families.
For more information on Heart Children New Zealand visit www.heartchildren.org.nz.
To register for the Cathay Pacific Half Marathon and 11km Run/Walk visit http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/races/cathaypacific/info.html.
