Top fundraiser in first year

Woy Woy South Public School has raised the highest amount of money in New South Wales so far this year in its first year of running the Heart Foundation's Jump Rope for Heart program.

Students collected a total of $17,048.35 in donations to help fund the Heart Foundation's work with cardiovascular disease.

Woy Woy South Public School Jump Rope for Heart coordinator Ms Anne Anders said: "Everyone was really positive and enthusiastic about doing Jump Rope for Heart.

"It was the best supported event I've ever experienced at the school.

"The student's have really enjoyed getting active and learning new skipping skills.

"It was wonderful to see every child from Kindergarten to Year 6 getting involved and having fun.

"Their dedication in raising money for the Heart Foundation and the support we've received from the local community has also been amazing.

"Through the Jump Rope for Heart program, the Heart Foundation provided us with excellent support for encouraging the students to get active and look after their heart health.

"The Heart Foundation gave us a handy teacher's manual, skipping kit and ran a workshop for us.

"They also held a heart health information session complete with a visit from their loveable Happy Heart mascot and a skipping demonstration team visited to show the children how fun it is to be active."

Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart field officer Ms Amanda Collett praised the school's efforts.

"The way in which Woy Woy South Public School has supported Jump Rope for Heart has been fantastic," Ms Collett said.

"The money raised through the program is vital for the Heart Foundation as our research and community health programs are funded almost entirely through generous public donations and support.

"It's great that Jump Rope for Heart can help children get active and learn new skills while helping the Heart Foundation to improve and save lives from cardiovascular disease."

Since starting in 1983, the Jump Rope for Heart program has given almost eight million children in more than 90 per cent of schools Australia-wide the opportunity to improve their health, fitness and coordination, at the same time raising more than $60 million for heart disease research and prevention programs.

Press release, November 23 Tanya Sarina, Heart Foundation