FROM double-dutching to crossing over, boxer stepping, teddy bear-turning and side swinging, Bannockburn P-12 College is jumping for joy.<\/p>\n
Within the annual Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart campaign, boosting the organisation\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is particularly motivated and excited by Jump Rope for Heart, which he sees as \u2018his thing\u2019 because he has a heart condition,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is being monitored closely by his doctors. Despite his health challenges, he is a very positive and determined little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Xavier\u2019s parents enjoyed taking part in the active annual Heart Foundation fundraiser when they were children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never imagined that I\u2019d have such a personal connection to the program all these years later,\u201d Mrs Simpson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heart Foundation director of active living, Adjunct Professor Trevor Shilton was grateful to the College\u2019s students for their enthusiastic campaigning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHeart 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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 \u2018awesome Annie\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s research capabilities, College students have skipped for approximately 136 hours, raising $8840 in sponsor donations. This is a Jump Rope for Heart school […]<\/p>\n