News & Information
- Brendon Pongia to Don Trainers for Heart Foundation
- Are you a keen walker or runner?
- Together everyone achieves more
- Heart Foundation training plans for 21km, 10km and 5km runs
- Fair Go's Kevin Milne signs up as a Heart Racer
- Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Marathon took place on 25 June
- Jay-Jay Feeney says ‘Sign up for Auckland 2006!
- Top Fundraising Tips to make your webpage work
- Getting Moving and Eating Right
- Heart Racer Gallery
Brendon Pongia to Don Trainers for Heart Foundation
Dancing with the Stars contestant and Good Morning presenter Brendon Pongia will be participating in this year’s adidas Auckland Marathon as a Heart Racer.
Brendon, who recently dazzled audiences with his dancing skills, will soon be pounding the pavements in support of the Heart Foundation.
As a first time Heart Racer, Brendon said it is important to do something good not only for your own heart but that of others. This year, the TVNZ presenter will be racing in the quarter marathon event in an effort to raise funds for the Foundation.
“I encourage everyone to get active, enter a walking or running event in the adidas Auckland Marathon, and become a Heart Racer today.”
More than 150 runners and walkers participated as Heart Racers in last year’s adidas Auckland Marathon, and the Heart Foundation is hoping to exceed that number this year.
Heart Racers raise money via an online webpage to support the Heart Foundation by competing in an official event. Supporters who sponsor Heart Racers are helping the charity to continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.
Are you a keen walker or runner?
Then why not become a Heart Racer!
Heart Racers raise funds all around New Zealand for the Heart Foundation by asking family, friends and colleagues to sponsor them online for participating in a sports event. It takes minimal effort to become a Heart Racer, but the money they raise helps the Heart Foundation fund heart research, support cardiac rehabilitation programmes and promote healthy lifestyles.
38 year old Wellingtonian Robbie Schneider is preparing for the Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Marathon as this edition of Heart Life goes to print. Robbie went online and registered as a Heart Racer to raise funds for the Heart Foundation after seeing how important heart health is to his family. “Following my mother’s heart attack last year, I have seen first hand the great work that the Heart Foundation does in rehabilitation”. You can visit his page and support him online at www.heartracer.org.nz We’ll be cheering you on along Wellington’s waterfront on Sunday 24th June Robbie – best of luck!
Together everyone achieves more
Competing in the adidas Auckland Marathon is obviously a great way to challenge your fitness and determination. However it is also a wonderful opportunity to meet and be motivated by likeminded people who are taking up the mental and physical challenge of such an event.
Just take a look at Vodafone’s Red, Rocksolid and Restless Marathon team. This staff team consists of all fitness levels, with members from all walks of life. For some their involvement is the catalyst for a complete lifestyle change. By preparing, training and competing together they are also collectively raising more money for the National Heart Foundation together.
The result has been astounding with members experiencing benefits including closer relationships with colleagues and more friends at work, getting fitter, stronger and becoming role models in the corporate arena. Vodafone provide their team with training coaches, motivational sessions, podiatry experts and other tools to show their support and ensure their success.
The team recently finished doing the Run Auckland Series to build their fitness for the marathon in October. Having won the Corporate cup and a team prize worth $1000, this group will be a force to be reckoned with come 28 October 2007!
So watch out for the Red, Rocksolid and Restless Marathon team – or give them a run for their money and get a team together from your workplace, local watering hole or sports club. Because, together – everyone achieves more!
Heart Foundation training plans for 21km, 10km and 5km runs, and 5km walk
For walkers and first time runners, the Heart Foundation has produced week-by-week training programmes for three different distances – 21km, 10km and 5km. Click any of the following to download:
- Event Training Programme - 10 Km (Adobe PDF, 79KB)
- Event Training Programme - 21 Km (Adobe PDF, 79KB)
- Event Training Programme - 5 Km (Adobe PDF, 67KB)
- Event Training Programme - 5 Km Walk (Adobe PDF, 408KB)
Fair Go’s Kevin Milne signs up as a Heart Racer
TV Presenter Kevin Milne took part in the Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital 10km walk in Wellington in June 2006. This is the second time Kevin has walked to raise money for the Heart Foundation. Last year his fundraising website raised nearly $1,500 in donations from well-wishers.
Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Marathon took place on 25 June
Over 3,000 people walked, ran and jogged in the Shoe Clinic
Harbour Capital Marathon on 25 June, and in that field were a group
of people determined to make their race count – our Heart Racers.
This year, they raised over $7,000 through on-line donations, and
donations are still coming in so we hope the final total will be
even higher. Thank you to everyone, including our Heart Foundation
volunteers who assisted on the day with marshalling, removing
transponders and bag collection. The athletes really appreciated
your help and support.
Jay-Jay Feeney says ‘Sign up for Auckland 2006!
Jay-Jay
Feeney – our star radio DJ from The Edge - took the plunge last year
and entered for the 10km run at the adidas Auckland Marathon. The
training was tough, but Jay-Jay was impressed with her progress from
being a non-runner to completing the race in a credible 1 hour and 1
minute.
Not only that, but she gave herself the added motivation of
supporting the Heart Foundation as a Heart Racer. “I wanted to
achieve something, and help raise funds for the NZ Heart Foundation
too. So, go on. Give a try in 2006!”
- Set A Goal
Set a personal target and aim high - you're more likely to strive to achieve your goal if its slightly more than you think you can achieve.
- Personalise your page
Make your page as compelling as possible by adding your own photograph and text. Make sure your page communicates the reason you have chosen to raise money, and why you believe your chosen charity deserves support. Be creative!
- Promote your webpage
The easiest way to do this is to add a link to your page into your email signature line. Maybe like this. "I've decided to do XXX and need your help to make a difference. Visit my webpage to learn more. http://www.heartracer.org.nz/yourpage"
- Keep a Blog
Family and friends will love to read about your journey and adventures. Try and keep them coming back to your site regularly to learn about what you are doing and to see your fundraising tally grow. If anything unusual or exciting or amazing happens in your journey to your event, then send out another email, inviting people back to your website.
- Make it personal
Share your story or that of a person you are trying to help. Remember that your supporters are keen to help you and are more inclined to donate if they can relate to your cause. Whether you are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis or the Project K, share something about your cause and why its important to YOU.
- Follow up
Just before your big day send a last reminder to your supporters and don't forget to keep fundraising after your event. Some 20 per cent of all donations come in after event completion. So don't stop fundraising once you've cross the finish line. Update your page and email your supporters with news of your success. Remind those who haven't yet donated to do so, and ask others to donate again in recognition of your achievement.
- Start with a bang
Make sure the first person on your website gives you a large donation as this sets the level for everyone else - guilt works very well. Maybe this first person could be YOU. Show a commitment to your cause.
- Ask for help
Email your address book using the template email available online with your webpage. Ask your supporters to forward it on to others that they know also.
- Stay Positive
Keep a good attitude. Remember the reason. Fundraising comes with a lot of "No's." Forget those and keep going for the "Yes's." Plan for this so it doesn't take you by surprise.
- Get a manager
Raising money can be a breeze with the help of your family and friends. Ask a few people to help you brainstorm some ways they can help you fundraise. Form a "mini- committee", and have FUN. Maybe ask a close friend to support you by driving your fundraising campaign for you.
- Keep your page updated
Encourage people to re-visit your page by continually updating it. Change your picture, post updates on your progress or keep a training diary. Make your page as interesting as possible so your fundraising efforts remain at the forefront of people's minds.
- Communicate the difference
Let your supporters know what their donation will buy for your chosen charity. It is more compelling to tell someone $10 will buy a school desk, or $20 will restore someone's sight, than to ask people to support a generic cause.
- Reassure your Supporters
Be sure to tell them that your website is secure and that any donations they make will be transferred directly to the charity's trust account . They will also be issued with a tax receipt for their donation immediately.
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A healthy lifestyle - eating right, doing regular physical activity and not smoking - is important for everyone of all ages.
It's a key way of preventing and reducing your risk of heart disease, and an important part of rehabilitation. It's particularly important to balance the energy you exert through physical activity with the energy you take in through what you eat.
Eating healthier doesn't always mean eating less of foods you enjoy - it often means eating more of certain foods that both protect your heart and assist your body to deal with exercise better. Read more »
