Fundraising

Fundraising Ideas for HeartKids NSW

  • A Sausage Sizzle at your local sporting club or outside your local supermarket.
  • Film nights – approach your local cinema and see if they will donate a private screening of a film. You can then organise friends/ associates to come on the night. A raffle could be held in the foyer area before the film screening.
  • Lamington/cup cake drive – This could be run through your local school,church,mothers playgroup,gym or work.Involve your local bakery or supermarket..
  • Trivia night. HeartKids can supply you with an information pack to help make the job easier – lots of fun!
  • Car wash – get a group of dad’s together to offer a car wash at your local sporting event. – check on water restrictions beforehand.
  • HeartKids cookbook – organise a collection of recipes from within your local community.
  • Wine tasting night –These can be run with help from a winery. Charge people to attend the evening, provide a cheese platter and ask that a percentage of the sales of wine sold on the night will go to HeartKids.
  • Busking to the Beat – Invite your local school to participate in this exciting event. Details are on the website.
  • Ask the company you work for to have a mufti/PJ day or raise money by auctioning a slave for a day. Another option is to have a baby photo competition or match the pet to the employee. Charge $2-$5 to guess.
  • Ask company employees to give up coffee for a week/or day with money that would have been spent on coffee being donated to HeartKids.
  • Coin trail – Ask your local school or preschool if they would do a mufti day or gold coin trail. Kids would bring in a gold coin which would be placed on the ground to make a trail/snake or even a giant heart.
  • Shopping Tour – If you are in Sydney, you could approach your local preschool or get a group of friends together and go on a shopping tour. A bus will take you to all the latest and greatest outlet shops. A percentage of what you spend will come back to HeartKids.
  • A bowling competition – approach your local bowling club to see if you could organise a bare foot bowling competition. Alternatively ask your local ten pin bowling club to donate six lanes for a couple of hours. Raffles etc could also be run at the same time.
  • Gift wrapping – This is a popular idea for Christmas time. Approach a shopping centre and ask if you could set up a stall for a weekend. See if you can get the ribbon/paper donated then charge per item wrapped.
  • A breakfast/lunch with a guest speaker – if you know of someone who would be a popular guest speaker in your community, approach your local club or restaurant and organise a lunch that they could speak at. Ask a bottle shop to donate the alcohol for the lunch, you could possibly auction a prize or hold a raffle at the lunch as well.
  • A scrabble competition! – Approach your local bar/ club to host a scrabble competition. The competition could be held with pairs competing for the honour of Best scrabble player for the region. You would charge possibly $15 a head to compete, ask the bar/club to donate the prize for the winning team – you are bringing them lots of business for the evening!

Information

The forms below may assist you when your child starts childcare/preschool/school.
MedHistoryForm.pdf
TeachersandCarers.pdf
First_Aid_Action_Plan.pdf
School_Information_Sheet.pdf

Thank you for getting in contact with us

Enquiry Pack

Would you like to receive a ‘Free’ Enquiry Pack and find out more more about HeartKids?

Disclaimer

We are unable to give medical advice; this is the role of your doctor. Since every case of congenital heart disease is different, any medical information displayed on our website should be used ONLY in conjunction with advice from your doctor. Such information cannot and should not be used to replace professional advice from your doctor.

Please remember that the opinions expressed in any article herein represent personal experience only. MEDICAL DETAILS ARE SPECIFIC TO EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO ANOTHER CHILD. Parents who require more specific information should check with their child’s own Cardiologist.

Also, please note, that the opinions expressed in the articles herein, are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of the committee of HeartKids NSW Inc.

Further Disclaimer:

Graphics found on this site were not created by the webmaster. They were obtained from various sources on the internet that labeled them as “freely distributable”. If you should discover images in this collection which you recognize as copyrighted, please email the immediately so that they may be removed.

Useful and Interesting Links


Link: A Son’s Gift

External Links

Patient Associations

National Organisations

Sad Links

Sadly, sometimes heart children die.

Sometimes families and friend no matter how much they might wish to, can’t be the one you need to turn to. You may not have lost your child but maybe a friend has and you want to help but can’t quite find the place to start. The following are links to sites in both Australia and overseas that have been started to help families, both parents and siblings who have lost a child.

We wish that we did not have to add these links but are very grateful that we are able.

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Sids and Kids NSW is an organisation that offers grief/bereavement counselling to families who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a child up to six years of age; there are groups also in the Hunter and other states of Australia. This site was suggested by a member who has used it and found them to be helpful.

M.I.S.S. Foundation in the USA was started by Joanne Cacciatore after the death of her daughter. There are lost of different areas on this site and it is the place of the well known kindness project. While checking this site over I found it a little sad, informative, complex and surprising to me, very uplifting. I have ‘spoken’ with Joanne via email and found her to be a very lovely woman who was pleased to be asked to be a link on our site.

The Compassionate Friends was founded in Coventry, England, in 1969, by Rev. Simon Stephens, Assistant to the Chaplain in the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. Simon noticed that the intensity and duration of parental grief was much greater than that of others who lost loved ones. He brought together two couples whose children had died at the same time, hoping they might comfort one another. It worked; each parent understood the pain the others were going through, and they were able to support and help one another as no one else could do. In time, the two couples reached out to other grieving parents, and The Compassionate Friends was founded. Compassionate Friends has Australian Offices. For NSW: 4th Floor 32 York Street, Sydney (02) 9290 2355

Further telephone contacts are:

  • Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
  • Lifeline: 131 114
  • Bereavement C.A.R.E. Centre: (02) 9869 3330

Our Contact Details

HeartKids NSW Inc.

HeartKids NSW Inc.
C/-Adolph Basser Cardiac Institute
Children’s Hospital Westmead
Locked Bag 4001
Westmead NSW 2145
Email:

Operations Manager

Dawn Everingham
Tel: 0420 364 125
Email:

Please leave a message on our phone line and you will be contacted within 24 hours.

For a free enquiry pack containing information on our services click here.

Family Support Co-ordinators

  • Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick – Karen 0406 424 620
  • Children’s Hospital Westmead – Kim 0406 424 627

HeartKids State Organisations

HeartKids Australia

CEO, Neil McWhannell
Office: 02 9487 8256
Fax: 02 9489 56 93
Mobile: 0424 161 923
Email:
Web: http://www.heartkids.org.au
Post: PO Box 204 Wahroonga NSW 2076

Queensland

HeartKids Queensland Inc
P.O. Box 501
Chermside South Qld 4032
Email:

South Australia

HeartKids of South Australia Inc.
PO Box 364
North Adelaide SA 5006

HKSA Secretary (me)
Email:
Mobile: 0407 070 656

Western Australia

HeartKids W.A. Inc.
P.O. Box 1554
West Perth W.A. 6872
Email:
Phone: 9340 7996
Fax: 9340 7997

Northern Territory

HeartKids N.T.
P.O. Box 848
Palmerston N.T. 0830

HeartKids Victoria including Tasmania

HeartKids Vic Inc (including Tas)
C/o Cardiology Department
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Flemington Rd
PARKVILLE VIC 3052

Merchandise

HeartKids NSW Inc offers a limited range of merchandise for sale to members and to the general public.

Corporate Christmas cards

Corporate Christmas cards are now on sale. 40 cents from each card goes to HeartKids.
To order simply go to: www.christmascards4charity.com.au/heartkids

All proceeds are used to support the group’s activities and in turn the HeartKids themselves and their parents and families.

Merchandise

Adult hats (white)

$10.00

Child hats (red)

$8.00

Heart Children book

$15.00

Pens

$5.00

Coffee mugs

$10.00 each or 4 for $30.00

Teddy Bears

$10.00

Thermos Travel Coffee Mugs

$10.00

HeartKids Christmas Bauble Xmas cards

$10.00 for a bundle of 10

Contact Dawn Everingham 0420 364 125 or email dawn.everingham@heartkids.org.au to order.

Our Supporters

We want to take this opportunity to thank the following organisations who recently supported us with our 2008 Tiny Tickers Ball held at the Hilton Hotel 20 September, 2008.


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We would also like to acknowledge:

  • Express Glass – who help us print our Newsletter “HeartKids News”
  • Con Dedes of Dedes Restaurants and Flying Fish – ongoing personal support

How to become a Sponsor

As a Charity with both State and National offices we welcome sponsors at both levels. For details on how to become a sponsor at a state level please contact your state office directly. For companies wishing to take on a sponsorship at a national level we offer a number of packages;

Principal Sponsor

This contributes to the core costs of the Charity over a fixed period to advertise your community spirit and commitment to the welfare of our children.

Employee Sponsor

This unique opportunity allows you to employ a HeartKids employee for 6 months at either a state or a national level. As a new national charity this allows us to channel vital resources where they are most needed during our critical start up phase.

Campaign and Event Sponsorship

Throughout the year HeartKids holds various campaigns including Trivia Nights, Busking to the Beat,Heartfelt Desserts, Tiny Ticker Ball and other fundraising events. These can be sponsored on either a state or national level.

Equipment or Research Sponsor

With HeartKids making up the majority of admissions into Intensive Care Units around the country, there is always a need for new equipment. At HearKids we can direct your sponsorship dollars directly to the area you would like to contribute. This can range from beds to tv’s to cardiac monitoring equipment. OR if you prefer we can channel your donations specifically into research.

Create your own event at work or your mother’s group.

There are a number of ways you can raise funds independently for HeartKids, each state offers their own unique angle on what’s fun to do, or you can simply make up your own.

How to Make a Donation

You can help HeartKids make a difference in the lives of children with heart disease by generously donating. This will continue our vital services of supporting these children and their families as well as raising funds for research and items of need in the Cardiology areas of Children’s Hospitals around Australia.

To make a cash or credit card donation please use either our donation slip…

Donation Slip

… or click on the PayPal link below:

Cash donations can be made at any St George Bank branch. HeartKids NSW Account No 464722239 BSB no. 112879. Please send us an email once deposit has been made and an address for us to post receipt.

Volunteering

HeartKids NSW offer a wealth of opportunities for volunteers to become involved. From supervising Teen Camp* to supporting one of our functions to secretarial and office work to help our small team out, all of it is appreciated – whether your involvement is heavy or light, long term or short, we encourage volunteers to contact HeartKids NSW 02 9294 0800 and learn more about us. At the very least, your interest will we hope generate awareness which is sorely needed.

Membership

HeartKids membership is open to:

  • Families with a child who has a congenital heart defect or acquired childhood heart disease. This includes parents, siblings, grandparents etc.
  • Teenagers and Adults with CHD who would like to join a forum for discussion.
  • To any individual or group concerned with the issues of congenital heart defects who have a specific interest in helping raising awareness and funding.
  • To any individual involved in the issues of congenital heart defects and acquired childhood heart disease, be they from a medical background or the political arena.

Membership Costs

Membership to HeartKids is FREE. We want to offer all families and friends of HeartKids NSW access to our services and do not want to burden families with unnecessary costs at this time. You do need to complete a membership form – accessible online – so that we can be sure to keep you up to date with information on our work towards combating CHD as well as information that’s relevant to you and invitations to our fundraising and family support events.

We encourage members to “HELP US HELP YOU” by undertaking membership in the spirit it’s intended and creating a mutually beneficial relationship with HeartKids NSW. We are not supported by government and are not part of the Heart Foundation. In order to continue our work and provide families with vital support services, we rely on the generosity of individuals and corporations who believe in our cause.

We encourage members to actively seek support for HeartKids or at the very least create awareness so that HeartKids becomes ‘THE’ children’s charity and eventually, hopefully, gratefully we can unlock the mysteries surrounding CHD.

Membership forms can be obtained online (right-click to download) or are available at either Randwick Hospital or Westmead Hospital or through calling HeartKids NSW on 02 9294 0800 or mailing us at .

Membership offers you:

  • A seasonal Newsletter to keep you informed and updated;
  • Family Support Coordinators – present in hospital to offer you support at critical times, and by phone and email as required;
  • Regular coffee mornings so that you can meet and share experiences with other families, these can be held either in hospital or in your local area, encouraging a local network of support for you and your family;
  • Opportunities for your heart child to attend events with other heart children;
  • Opportunities to attend special afternoon or evening information events by invited medical practitioners and other professionals as they arise.

Facts about Childhood Heart Disease

Incidence of Childhood Heart Disease is far greater than most people expect. Although it comes as quite a shock to family and friends alike, an astounding 6 babies each day in Australia are diagnosed with heart disease! Cures remain predominantly unknown and little in general is known about the disease and its causes. Therefore we need your help to assist in addressing this situation

Common known facts about CHD include;

  • Heart defects are present in 1 in 100 babies
  • Heart defects are the most common birth abnormality
  • Heart disease in children is the leading cause of young children death in Australia, accounting for more than 30% of all childhood deaths.
  • Childhood Heart Disease takes more lives than all other childhood diseases combined
  • Nearly twice as many children die each year from congenital heart disease compared with all childhood cancers
  • More than 2015 babies are born in Australia each year with a heart defect
  • Childhood heart disease is no fault of the parents or the child. It is simply a result of the cruel hand of fate
  • The severity of defects in heart children can range from a simple hole in the heart, to a highly complex combination of conditions
  • Up to 20% of heart defects are gene-linked abnormalities, but for the remaining 80% the cause is largely unknown
  • More than half of these conditions are serious enough to require treatment through medication or surgery – sadly some cannot be repaired
  • Cures of these heart conditions remains unidentified, therefore there is an immense need to develop early intervention strategies to identify and prevent heart disease in children
  • Heart disease is the most common reason for admission of Australian children to intensive care units with more than 1300 being admitted each year
  • The term ‘congenital heart defect’ refers to an abnormality of the heart, which is present at birth. It has nothing to do with diet or obesity
  • Heart valve replacements come in 3 forms: homographs (valves from humans) tissue valves (from cows or pigs) and mechanical man-made valves
  • Some children acquire heart conditions during childhood, eg cardiomyopathy, Kawasaki disease or as a result of rheumatic fever
  • A disproportionate number of indigenous children suffer from acquired heart disease – often as a result of rheumatic fever, which is rampant in many communities
  • Heart Transplants are much more challenging for children as their immune systems are not fully developed
  • The only Paediatric transplant unit in Australia is at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

More than 4 young Australians will die this week as a result of congenital heart disease. Will you help to save them?

Sources:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Australian Bureau of Statistics
American Heart Association

Our partners

coming

Annual Reports

2006/2007 annual report

HeartKidsAnnualReport07.PDF

HeartKids NSW Board - 2008-2009

HeartKids NSW Inc is run by a board elected annually by members at our Annual General Meeting. These roles are purely voluntary and non paying. They are made up of parents of HeartKids and individual professionals concerned with the high incidence of Childhood Heart Disease(CHD) who donate their time and experience to support HeartKids NSW in its goals.

At our recent AGM held on Friday October 17th 2008 a new board was chosen, the new members are as follows:

  • Chairman: Ryan Payne
  • Vice-Chairman: Allan Bruty
  • Secretary: Vicky Davey
  • Membership Secretary: Kim Evans
  • Public Officer: Erron Palmer
  • General Member: Des Hammond
  • General Member: Dawna Leung
  • Merchandise Officer: vacant
  • Treasurer: Peter Sherlock

HeartKids NSW – A History

1980’s

  • August 1984 – a heart mother is interviewed on the “Ita Buttrose Radio Show” and a support group is developed. First meetings were held at Baulkham Hills Private Hospital rooms. Approximately 10 -12 members.
  • Fundraisers and events such as, ‘Rock & Roll Nights’ and ‘Black and White Nights’ and a Float in the Baulkham Hills Orange Blossom Fair,’ occurred with money raised donated to the ‘Heart Ward’ at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children at Camperdown.
  • 1989 – ‘The Heart Kids Family Support Group’ joined with families from Newcastle to extend the group across the region.

1990’s

  • Telephone Support and Regional Coffee Mornings began in committee member’s homes.
  • The first HeartKids Newsletter is developed.
  • 1994 – the first HeartKids Family Support Group Annual Camp was held at Camp Breakaway on the Central Coast
  • 1997 – the South West Region was formed of HeartKids Family Support Group after active advertisement.
  • 1998 – ten families from the ACT joined the Group.
  • September 1998 – HeartKids Family Support Group was incorporated and became known as HeartKids NSW Inc.
  • February 1999 – the first official HeartKids NSW email address was set up.

2000 and beyond

2000

  • HeartKids NSW given their own meeting place at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
  • Deductible Gift Recipient status is granted by the ATO.
  • Membership increases to over 100 families throughout NSW.

2001

  • Westmead Children’s Hospital ward coffee mornings are up and running.
  • February – HeartKids NSW Inc has its own telephone number.
  • Talks for members began and include, Dental, Cardiac specialisations and paramedical talk, which all impact on Heart Children.
  • September – a new website was launched.
  • The first computerised membership database is designed by a committee member.
  • HeartKids NSW has its first Pro Bono volunteer, an auditor.

2003

  • July – contact is established with Randwick Children’s hospital and negations for ward visits begin.
  • A library of books, videos and pamphlets has commenced for membership to borrow.

2004

  • HeartKids NSW attend the first HeartKids NationalConference.
  • September – Ward coffee mornings begin at Randwick Children’s Hospital.

2005

  • HeartKids NSW first employee was engaged.
  • HeartKids NSW and other state groups take the momentous steps to form a National group, HeartKids Australia begins.
  • HeartKids NSW has 6 regional groups in addition to the greater metropolitan area.
  • Our first patron – Dr Gary Sholler – was appointed.

2006

  • February – HeartKids NSW adds to its employees, we now have two Family Support Coordinators, one to work out of Westmead and the other Randwick Children’s Hospitals.
  • HeartKids NSW youth have participated in and now attend the seventh national ‘teen camp’.
  • August – HeartKids NSW hosts the annual HeartKids Australia conference.
  • Official launch of HeartKids Australia
  • A HeartKids NSW Board member is appointed Chair for HeartKids Australia.
  • Our current national logo was developed by a Heart parent.

2007

  • HeartKids NSW has been able to make a tremendous investment in the future of HeartKids Australia wide with a $50,000 donation to HeartKids Australia.
  • 2007 – HeartKids NSW to hire its fourth employee a part time administrative assistant.
  • HeartKids NSW employ’s its fifth employee, a part time operations manager.
  • Our 6th employee, Fundraising Events Manager, is employed – HeartKids NSW now has 6 part time employees.
  • October – New website launched.
  • November – E-Newsletter Launched.

HeartKids NSW would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contribution of the following people in bringing to fruition not only a strong and proactive organisation, but the vision of a National organisation:

  • Maggie Frawley
  • Dom Frawley
  • Donna Carder
  • Cecily Waterworth
  • Sally Thurlow
  • Denise Sillery
  • Terri Bennett
  • Donald Brown
  • Carolyn Alleyne
  • Wanda Greenaway
  • Katrina West
  • Liane Unmack
  • Lisa Stenberg
  • Gina Scott
  • Michelle Rowsell
  • Francie Lambourne
  • Trudi Rees
  • Tenielle Davis
  • Jane Randall
  • Tanya Lawrence
  • Michelle Kludas-Carpenter
  • Marueen Gatt
  • Nicole White
  • Andrea Pringle
  • Vicky Davey
  • Meredith Snowden
  • Louise Higgins
  • Trudi Eden
  • Csilla Wood
  • Eyleen Hancock

It is difficult, given the passing of time and the changes to the organisation over that time to recall every name but we hope we have captured a great number of the very important people who in one way or another contributed to the development of HeartKids. We thank these individuals for their commitment, time, and at times their struggle to bring HeartKids forward.

To you all THANKYOU – no matter how large or small, your contribution is appreciated.

Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision

Embracing the future for HeartKids.

Our Mission

Australia will have a reduced incidence of children with heart disease, a reduced mortality rate in children affected by heart disease and significant support will be provided to HeartKids and their families.

This will be achieved through the development of: Research, Support, Awareness and Advocacy.*

Who we are

HeartKids is a support group for families of children with heart disease, be it congenital (born with) or acquired. We started as a voluntary group of parents and individuals dealing with and concerned about the day to day realities of raising and caring for children with cardiac conditions, and sometimes dealing with the loss of a child due to heart disease. We have grown to an organisation of some strength, with 5 part time employees in NSW and a presence in almost every state of Australia, as well as a National body – HeartKids Australia.

Our members wish to offer their support to other families who are in crisis, providing opportunities to share common anxieties and challenges. We arrange, where possible, to meet with other families affected by the impact of life with a child with a cardiac condition and to create a ‘network of support’ for all families.

Over the years, HeartKids NSW, with the help of members, sponsors and friends, has been able to help out the children’s hospitals in NSW by way of donations of money, equipment and research grants. Read all about HKNSW list of achievements here.

HeartKids has several regional representatives who offer their time to arrange coffee mornings and special activities in order to support families with a child with CHD. Telephone support is also offered. Our aim in this area is to ensure that parents aren’t struggling alone.

HeartKids’ produce a seasonal newsletter “HeartKids News” which updates and informs our members on patient progress; special ‘heart family’ activities; government policy information of relevant, upcoming events and much much more. HeartKids News keeps our geographically diverse membership aware and ‘close’.

HeartKids can assist with information about your hospital stay, for example information on available accommodation, meals, and transport and parking and in some cases can assist families financially in these areas. We can also assist with information on the availability of certain hospital services such as social workers, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists.

Most valuable to our families during the crucial time of surgery are our Family Support coordinators. At Randwick Children’s Hospital we have our Senior Family Support Coordinator – Karen Sherlock, and at Westmead, our Family Support Coordinator – Kim Mackie. Both coordinators are ‘heart mums’ and understand more than most what families are experiencing during the often tension filled hospital stays.

As well as offering support to families, HeartKids aims to increase awareness in the general community and corporate sector about the high incidence of congenital heart defects and its ongoing consequences.

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