11 May 2009 - Heart Children New Zealand, the only organisation in the country dedicated to supporting children born with heart conditions and their families, has received an early 25th birthday present from Sovereign Sunshine.

Heart Children Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Bell, said the $13,565 donation could not have come at a better time, as the charity celebrates 25 years of operation in New Zealand.

"The funds will be used to expand our Family Support Programme which is available through Heart Children's 20 branches and support networks across the country.

"The Family Support Programme provides assistance and support for heart children and their parents every step of the way, by providing counselling, psychological support, information, education, practical assistance and access to specialist equipment."

She said congenital heart defects are the most common serious birth abnormalities in New Zealand.

"Every week, 12 babies are born with a heart defect and many of those children are affected for life. It's not unusual for a child to have multiple open heart surgeries while they are young which involves ongoing medical supervision, operations and drugs to manage their condition.

"It's important that families aren't left to deal with the stress and trauma that they have to face as a parent of a heart child. We provide caregivers with the resources they need to prepare their child for surgery and their hospital stay, as well as advice and support when they return home," Sarah said.

Carla Ward knows first hand the valuable contribution Heart Children makes to parents grappling with heart disease in their children.

She has a 13 year old son who was born with a congenital heart condition that saw him being fed by a tube for the first 14 months of his life. To date, he has undergone three heart surgeries.

"When my son was born, we lived in Wanganui and, at that stage, there was no Heart Children branch based in that part of the country. The first six years were really tough both for our family and my son. It took him that long to recover enough to live a relatively normal life. Heart Children helped my family cope with each new challenge along the way, and we know they'll continue to support us in the future. .

"The ongoing support you get from Heart Children New Zealand second to none. For example, while staying at the Starship Children's Hospital parents have the option of using the Heart Children van and driver that takes families to the supermarket or on an outing to Kelly Tarltons. It's these simple gestures that help to minimise the stress of having your child in hospital."

Carla said the support does not stop once the child has left hospital.

"Through Heart Children, families are able to receive medical training in CPR to ensure everybody within close contact of their child is prepared for any red alerts. Another huge benefit is the state-of-the-art blood testing machines Heart Children provides for kids on anticoagulant medication to use at home that negates the need for regular venous blood tests, protecting kid's veins and reducing psychological trauma."

Heart Children New Zealand will also cover the cost of Medic Alert bracelets for all Kiwi heart children, so that people are aware of their conditions.

Carla has since taken up a role as Heart Children New Zealand Regional Family Support Co-ordinator for the lower North Island.

"Just speaking to someone who is experiencing the same stresses and problems that you have or are encountering can be reassuring and comforting."

Heart Children New Zealand helps over 5,000 children and families annually. This year, to mark the start of Heart Kids Awareness Week, which runs from 24-30 May, Heart Children New Zealand will be the beneficiaries of the World's first indoor cricket match played on ice organised by Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club.

The Sovereign Sunshine programme which is backed by Kiwi actress and mother of two, Greer Robson helps under-resourced children's charities by providing them with funding. Each month the initiative focuses on a different charity group, with members of the public deciding via online voting which charity will receive the funding. Sovereign staff also play their part, by helping to raise funds for the different charities.

Sovereign Marketing Communications Manager, Richard Allen, said Sovereign is very committed to encouraging health and well-being in local communities through the programme.