Media Centre
New Zealand's first national Heart Jam to be held in Taupo
12 January 2010
On Tuesday 19 January, 66 heart children will jump and jam at the launch of New Zealand’s first national ‘Heart Jam’. The inaugural jump fest will take place at Lake Taupo Christian Camp, home of Heart Children New Zealand’s annual camp for heart kids aged 8 – 12 years.
Based on the ever popular JUMP JAM and choreographed by creator, two-time World Aerobics’ Champion Brett Fairweather, Heart Children NZ’s ‘Heart Jam’ will go national during Heart Children Week in May.
Brett sees a natural fit with JUMP JAM supporting Heart Children NZ. “Aerobic exercise is all about using your heart and through Heart Jam we will have school children throughout New Zealand using their hearts to help those children not quite so fortunate living life with heart disease”.
Primary and Intermediate Schools are encouraged to register early, get their Heart Jam kit and practise jammin’ for the big one; New Zealand’s biggest aerobics class ever - scheduled for 28 May 2010 at 10am.
The tune that kids will be jumping to has been composed by Kiwi band Minuit. "We wanted the lyrics to be fun and positive, lyrics that everybody could shout out! For the three and-a-half minutes that it plays you can’t hold back, you've gotta go for it!” says Minuit.
Heart Jam is designed to promote participation, create discussion and foster a greater understanding of how heart conditions affect children. It’s also loads of fun for everyone. The choreography is high energy but also easily modified to suit the individual needs of children living with a chronic condition. All children who participate are asked to bring a gold coin donation which will go towards funding Heart Children NZ’s Child & Youth services.
“Heart Jam is all about kids helping kids,” says Heart Children NZ’s Events & Sponsorship Coordinator, Liz Beck. “It’s an excellent resource for schools, adding value to the school curriculum and of course it’s a lot of fun too. We’re extremely grateful to Brett Fairweather and JUMP JAM for their energy and commitment to this project and to Minuit; a project which will help children living with the daily challenges of a heart condition.”
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. Every year, 450 open heart surgeries take place on children in New Zealand. Heart Children NZ is the only organisation dedicated to supporting these children and their families from birth through to adulthood and beyond.
Schools can pre-register with Heart Children NZ now by visiting www.heartchildren.org.nz. A heart jam pack will be provided free of charge to all registered schools with an additional downloadable school pack available from www.heartchildren.org.nz.
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 professional, emotional and practical support, information, education, training, advocacy, specialised 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.
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Contacts
Media Spokesperson
Lara Syddall
Telephone 09 377 9950 Ext 804
Mobile 027 244 8331
lara.syddall@heartchildren.org.nz
Sarah Bell
Marketing & Fundraising Manager
Telephone 09 377 9950 Ext 805
Mobile 027 600 3506
sarah.bell@heartchildren.org.nz