Swingers have big hearts

Nearly $5,000 will go towards making life easier for Central Otago children with heart conditions thanks to award-winning adventure company Shotover Canyon Swing.

Locals and visiting thrill seekers got behind the company’s annual fundraising campaign and raised $4,785 to benefit Heart Children Central Otago, the local branch of the national Heart Children charity.

The fundraiser ran for just over two weeks and was organised to coincide with the nationwide Heart Children Awareness Week, to generate more awareness of what the charity does and help raise funds for the local branch.

Shotover Canyon Swing gave a second ‘swing’ free of charge to all swingers who made a minimum donation to Heart Children Central Otago. Donation boxes were also located in its shop and out at the Swing site for spectators and other visitors who wanted to give money to a good cause.

On the final day of the fundraiser the company had its 'Mr Ted' ice cream truck parked outside its shop and offered free ice creams with sprinkles in return for a gold coin donation to the charity.

Shotover Canyon Swing Sales & Marketing Manager Claire Stewart was delighted with the amount of money raised and “heartened” by people’s support of the campaign.

“We wanted to help make life a little easier for our local kids who suffer from heart conditions and were delighted to get such strong backing from the community and our customers,” she said.

“People loved getting a second swing while supporting a great cause It was a real ‘feel good’ for them as well as for our team.

“A huge thanks must go to our local booking agents who helped support the fundraiser – they not only encouraged their customers to make donations but made donations themselves. We hope the money will go some way towards ensuring Heart Children’s good work continues”

Sue Evans, Family Support Worker for Heart Children Central Otago, and Doug Bresnell, a founding member of the local committee and father of two children with heart conditions, were out at Shotover Canyon Swing yesterday to receive the big cheque.

Mrs Evans is very grateful for the donation and says the money will go towards helping local families dealing with the daily challenges of childhood heart disease.

“In my role as a family support worker I provide support tailored to meet the individual needs of the family. Heart Children NZ provides over 50 services, both for the child as they grow into adulthood and for the parents, from prenatal support and right through. Shotover Canyon Swing’s generous donation means local families can access ongoing support when they need it. Ultimately it means a better outcome for all.”

Shotover Canyon Swing’s annual fundraising campaign is now in its fourth year. Previous recipients are Wakatipu Search and Rescue (2009), Dunedin’s Royal Albatross Centre (2008) and Child Cancer (2007).

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