Horses for hearts

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

In February 2010, 20 riders will be taking part in a horse trek from Awakino on the Northern Taranaki coast to Waipatiki on the Northern Hawke’s Bay coast near Lake Tutira. This is about 400 km by road but the ride of eleven days is all across back country apart from most of one day on forestry roads.

As well as the challenge of the ride we are endeavouring to make the public aware of cardiac problems and to raise money for the Heart Foundation Chair being created by the “HEART HEALTH PREVENTION CAMPAIGN”. This is a research chair to be hosted by the University of Auckland and will be located in the School of Population Health where it is planned to establish a national research hub. There is a strong campaign team led by Jenny Shipley to raise $5 million, the target required to endow the chair and associated research centre. This represents an investment in the future health of all New Zealanders.

At the same time as we will be trekking, “The Great Ride for Heart” bike ride will be travelling the length of the country and we are supporting their campaign. “The Great Ride for Heart” campaign has an anonymous sponsor who is matching any funds raised 1:1 so all funds Horses for Heart riders raise will contribute through “The Great Ride for Heart” appeal.

Our horse riders come from Pahiatua. Nuhaka, Taupo, Taumaranui, Piopio, Aria, Torohanga and Te Anga. This is a very diverse group of people with three riders having had previous major cardiac surgery.


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