Media Centre
Michael Jones, Eroni Clarke, Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan all ride for a hearty cause
25th November 2009
Old team mates ex All Black Eroni Clarke and the Iceman Michael Jones will team up again on Tuesday when they jump in the saddle for a training ride along the leafy lanes of Auckland’s Western Springs. They’ll be joined by Eroni’s sister Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan, sons Caleb (13), Eroni Jnr (11) and a few of Auckland’s little heart riders out training for the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 5km Heart Ride (November 28).
The training will all be worth it because next Saturday Eroni Jnr will be part of a team of 29 courageous heart kids from around New Zealand all keen to ride and keen to help raise funds to support kids with a heart condition just like them. On the big day Eroni, Caleb, Bevan Docherty, the odd Mum and Dad, the Subway Avanti riders and Xterra Champ Nic Leary will ride alongside.
Eroni and wife Siala know only too well the daily challenges of childhood heart disease. When EJ was born it was discovered he had several heart defects. EJ underwent open heart surgery at just seven days old. Despite it all this plucky youngster is doing really well and looking forward to taking on the challenge to ride the Heart Ride with his Dad and his brother Caleb.
“Michael was an incredible support through that very difficult time when Eroni Jnr was so unwell,” says Eroni. “When he heard we were riding in the Heart Ride Michael was keen to come along for a practice ride in the park.”
Over the years Heart Children New Zealand’s involvement as the official charity of the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has seen almost a hundred children from around New Zealand affected by a heart condition, aged 3 – 12 years, take on the personal challenge to ride the last 5km of the 160km course. And every year Bevan Docherty’s been there with the kids.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” says Docherty. “Seeing the kick the kids get out of taking part is fantastic. When you think what they’ve been through to get to this point - it’s humbling and really inspiring.”
“We are very proud to be the official charity of such a prestigious cycling event,” says Heart Children New Zealand’s Liz Beck. “Our Heart Rider Team is extremely excited and in spite of all they have been through training as hard as they can to cycle 5km.”
EJ and Caleb have their own fundraise online webpage. Money raised will mean Heart Children New Zealand can reach out to more families overwhelmed by childhood heart disease.
You may be surprised to learn that twelve babies, like EJ, are born every week with a heart defect in New Zealand. A smaller number of children will acquire a heart condition often as a result of rheumatic fever. Around 450 open heart surgeries will take place on children this year alone. It’s a sobering thought.
At Heart Children New Zealand we believe each and every child, young person and their family deserves to receive personalized support in a way that meets their individual needs; in the hospital, at home and every stage of their journey
You can help to achieve that dream. Please make a secure online donation to EJ’s webpage by visiting www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EJandCaleb or call 0900 4 HEART (0900 4 43278) for a $20 donation.
Heart Children New Zealand began 25 years ago, the legacy of then 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 New Zealand stretches across the nation, providing professional emotional, practical and financial support, information, education, training, advocacy, specialized equipment and friendship to thousands of children, young adults and their families.
For more information www.heartchildren.org.nz
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Contacts
Debra Madden
Communications
Debbie@heartchildren.org.nz
Tel 09 377 9950 Ext 812
Mob 027 555 6451
Sarah Bell
Fundraising & Marketing Manager
Sarah.bell@heartchildren.org.nz
Tel 09 377 9950 Ext 805
Mob 027 600 3506
Media Spokesperson
Lara Syddall
CEO
Lara.Syddall@heartchildren.org.nz
Tel 09 377 9950 Ext 804
Mob 027 244 8331
Photograph by Andrew Hales