Take the Plunge for heart children

Media Release 6 April 2010
Take the Plunge for heart children

Across the country teams of enthusiastic plungers will take on a chilly challenge this May when they take part in Heart Children New Zealand’s Heart Stopper Challenge.

Held around Heart Children Week, (23-29 May) the Heart Stopper Challenge is a hilarious series of events that will see well over one thousand participants’ nationwide, don fancy dress and plunge in a spa of ice and water for five minutes.

Aucklanders will get their chance to test the waters on Wednesday 26 May at Les Mills Auckland, Victoria Street from 3pm.

Children with heart defects are often cooled in icy slush to slow their heart rate prior to open heart surgery. That’s the inspiration for this very ‘cool’ event.

“The Heart Stopper Challenge is totally unique,” says Heart Children’s Event Manager Liz Beck. “It’s loads of fun, a great team builder, needs no training and unlike other events carrying a few extra pounds actually helps.”

With MORE FM in support, a post plunge hot spa, refreshments and prizes for the best dressed team, Auckland’s Heart Stopper Challenge is an event not to be missed. Visit www.heartstopper.org.nz and register TODAY.

Though having fun is the order of the day, the Heart Stopper Challenge has a serious side too. Each team member is charged with gaining sponsorship for their plunge. Funds will go directly to help children living with the daily challenges of heart disease and their families.

You may be surprised to learn that by the time you sit down to dinner tonight two children will have undergone open heart surgery at Auckland Hospital. By the end of this week twelve babies will be born with a heart defect in New Zealand. That’s an additional 600 children every year. And sadly, this year childhood heart disease will claim more young lives than any other single cause.

Take the Plunge for heart children -

Heart Children NZ is the only organisation to provide life long support to children and their families affected by the world’s most common birth defect. Heart Children help with practical issues, emotional support, advice, information, advocacy, equipment, training and friendship, through the good days and the bad.

Make a hearty splash for heart children. Register today at www.heartstopper.org.nz. For more information on Heart Children Week events visit www.heartchildren.org.nz.

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