Jumping for heart and research

FROM double-dutching to crossing over, boxer stepping, teddy bear-turning and side swinging, Bannockburn P-12 College is jumping for joy.

Within the annual Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart campaign, boosting the organisation’s research capabilities, College students have skipped for approximately 136 hours, raising $8840 in sponsor donations. This is a Jump Rope for Heart school fundraising record.

Xavier Simpson raised $1584 of those funds, skipping for just under six hours. His mum, Alicia Simpson said the nine-year-old pupil has a defect in the aortic valve of his heart, having had rare condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome since birth.

“He is particularly motivated and excited by Jump Rope for Heart, which he sees as ‘his thing’ because he has a heart condition,” she said.

“He is being monitored closely by his doctors. Despite his health challenges, he is a very positive and determined little boy.”

Both Xavier’s parents enjoyed taking part in the active annual Heart Foundation fundraiser when they were children.

“I never imagined that I’d have such a personal connection to the program all these years later,” Mrs Simpson said.

“It’s amazing that something I did as a child, and that so many other Australian kids have done, is funding research that could help my own son.”

Heart Foundation director of active living, Adjunct Professor Trevor Shilton was grateful to the College’s students for their enthusiastic campaigning.

“As these kids discovered, Jump Rope for Heart is lots of fun and great exercise, but it also helps the Heart Foundation in its important work funding lifesaving research and health projects,” he said.

“Heart Foundation-funded research has helped make big advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease over the past six decades, including genetic conditions.

“In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we have developed new ways to engage with teachers, kids and parents. This includes some terrific online videos about skipping and heart health, as well as instructional videos on how to do neat tricks like the criss-cross and the ‘awesome Annie’.”