Natasha Gerrand's Fundraising Page

Hi Everyone

As you may already know, I have decided to run the Auckland 1/2 Marathon on Sunday 2nd of November.

After a few wines it seemed like a grand idea to agree to something so energetic and so challenging…when sober it seems like … well I guess about 21.8kms of hard work!!!! However, a deals a deal - and I am really looking forward to working hard and having a fantastic run on the day.

It's about 12 weeks until the big day and I have paid my entry fee, got some new shoes, found some fantastic friends who are crazy enough to do this with me and I have started training - so it's all go!!!

Now here's where I need your help…

I've signed up as a Heart Racer to raise money to support The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I have included a little info below so you can see for yourself why this is so important…

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in New Zealand. It causes 40 percent of all deaths annually in our country - making it more deadly than all forms of cancer.

The nature of who is affected by it is changing. New research shows that young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks more than ever before, and that this age group is dying at a faster rate than people of the same age in previous generations. Much of this change is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and being a smoker.

But the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, if people make healthy lifestyle choices.

So, help me as I join the race to beat heart disease.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of New Zealanders.

So, please could you sponsor me?

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It’s simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation’s bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please help me today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support