Students from Trangie Central School put their skipping skills to the test last Thursday when they officially ‘Jumped Off’ to celebrate their achievements and fundraising efforts in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program.
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Students from Kindergarten through to Year 6 jumped into action to raise $4394 for the Heart Foundation, which goes towards research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease in Australia.
This year students welcomed special guest Steven Rae, who is a heart transplant recipient and grandfather to student Harry Miles.
Not only did Mr Rae teach students on the importance of maintaining heart health, he and his wife kindly donated $1000 to the students to go towards Jump Rope for Heart.
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“It’s not just for old people, it’s for some of you young children too ... kids are born with holes in their hearts, some have got infections when they’re only 12 or 10 years old, so we’re trying to raise funds so we can develop medicines and everything that goes along with it,” Mr Rae told the children.
Mr Rae explained the history behind the first heart transplant that took place in South Africa in 1967. He said it was trialled in Australia shortly after, however it wasn’t until 1984 when the first successful heart transplant succeeded on a 14-year-old girl, who currently lives in Tasmania.
“That’s why we raise it ... for those younger people so that they can live, live a longer life,” said Mr Rae.
Mr Rae’s journey began in 2015 when he was diagnosed with amyloid, a hardening of the heart. He told the children he was given three months to live, which he said “even at your age isn’t that long.”
He explained to the children the process of making it onto the heart transplant list, and described his surgery which lasted for 2 and a half hours.
Mr Rae said he’s 80 percent of what he was, and thanked the children, and the ones previously for their fundraising efforts, which he said allowed him to continue to see his children and grandchildren.
“You all want to grow up, become parents some day, see grandchildren being born and have a great life. So look after it, look after your life. It’s not very often people in my position get a second chance so look after it,” he said.
Jump Rope for Heart organiser at Trangie Central School Mel Corcoran said the school has been part of the Jump Rope for Heart program for several years.
“Every year it gets bigger and better and we couldn’t be prouder of our fundraising efforts this year,” said Ms Corcoran.
“We are very grateful to have Steven Rae a grandfather of one of our students, come and speak to the children about his personal experience with heart disease.”
“The students raised over $3500 which is amazing for such a small school. Mr Rae then donated another $1000 towards our Jump Off which enabled us to donate over $4500 to the Heart Foundation.
“I am so proud of our students they are very kind and compassionate students who are happy to work hard to help others.”
“It was a great way to have fun, get fit and help others,” she said.