HEARTKIDS is the only charity in Australia focused solely on children’s
heart disease, with the mission of reducing the incidence of children born
with heart disease, improving mortality rates in children affected by heart
disease & providing support to affected families. Childhood Heart Disease
(CHD) is the greatest killer of children under 5 in Australia accounting for
35% of all childhood deaths & over 50% of all Intensive Care bed admissions.

HeartKids Christmas Party, November 2010
On arrival at Homebush we were all greeted by the smiling faces from the HeartKids team. It was nice to catch up
with them & most of all to mingle & chat to the heart kids parents that told us their truly moving stories. What these
families have been through or are going through is heart wrenching. One thing heard in all their stories was how
HeartKids had played a part in their journey & listening to these praises certainly made us proud to be associated
with them. We then officially presented Neil McWhannell (HeartKids Australia CEO) with a cheque for $20,000 for
the launch of the Heart Beads Program for which the Northern Beaches Social Riders are the sole supporters of.

What’s it all about?

The Heart Beads Program hopes to enrich the experience of cardiac patients & their families at children’s hospitals
throughout Australia. Children are rewarded with distinctive beads specific to each procedure or treatment. The children
feel a sense of achievement for their courage & the beads help them tell their story.

Each child’s beads are special & unique to them. The beads are a reward for all the hardships the children face in
their hospital stay & the children look forward to receiving them. Children are able to trace their unique journey & tell
their story through the beads. The beads help the children talk about their experiences & forge relationships with
other children. Both boys & girls enjoy the benefits of the program.

Photos of the HeartKids Christmas Party

Tiny Tickers Ball, August 2011
What an inspirational night! This event was held at the Hilton Hotel, with the MC being Channel 7’s Matt White, a
fantastic band, dancers that combined dancing with illusion & auctions there were smiles on the faces of everyone.
Malachy, a young mature twelve year old, together with his father took us on the journey of his life from his first ride in
a helicopter on day one, to receiving a Segway motorised transporter from HeartKids to improve his way of life.

Lesson for the night - don’t sweat the small stuff, appreciate what you have, giving is better than receiving & remember
life really was meant to be fantastic.

Photos of the Tiny Tickers Ball

NBSR's HeartKids Family Day, September 2011
This event was held by NBSR at the Warringah Pittwater Emergency Centre at Terrey Hills. It was a day full of smiling
faces, face painting, jumping castle, live bands, air brushed tattoos, pony rides, Kindy Farm, displays of fire trucks,
Police cars & bikes, BBQ & even an acrobatic duo.

To everyone that helped make the day possible & put smiles on the faces of young & old, we thank you all.

Photos of the HeartKids Family Day

Major Raffle Draw, December 2011
This is the night that all the members have worked extremely hard for throughout the year. On the night, there were
plaques & appreciation certificates presented to those that have supported us throughout the year as well as
meeting some amazing families whose little ones have battled heart disease.

As part of the formalities, we presented Alan Bowden (HeartKids Australia CEO) with another donation of
$20,000 on behalf of all our members.

Photos of the Major Raffle Draw