Heart Foundation celebrates International Volunteer Day

December 3, 2014

Heart Foundation celebrates International Volunteer Day

The Heart Foundation will be joining hundreds of organisations across the world this Friday in celebrating the enormous contribution of volunteers.

December 5 is International Volunteer Day, established by the United Nations in 1985 to recognise the important role volunteers play in making a difference locally, nationally and globally.

About 2500 people have generously offered up their time to support the Heart Foundation in the past year, contributing more than 15,000 hours of unpaid work collectively.

“That’s a huge amount of time our volunteers have freely given up to shake buckets, help at events, carry out administrative work and speak at public events on behalf of the Heart Foundation,” said Regional Operations Manager Julie Sargisson.

“We want to take this opportunity on International Volunteer Day to thank them for their amazing contribution.”

Sargisson said that without the support of volunteers, the Heart Foundation would struggle in its work to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease.

“Heart disease is still New Zealand’s single biggest killer, claiming one precious life every 90 minutes. We rely on a strong team of volunteers to tackle that shocking statistic and help deliver our messages in the community.”

For every one paid member of staff, the Heart Foundation has 19 volunteers dedicated to preventing heart disease. It has 170 core volunteers across the country, who regularly give their time throughout the year.

One of these exceptional volunteers is Aucklander Judy Parton, who was last night presented with a Local Hero Award in the KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year Awards. She received her award from Auckland Mayor Len Brown at a ceremony at Ellerslie Race Course.

Judy has volunteered hundreds of hours for the Heart Foundation since 2005, working across the whole organisation and taking on an increasing leadership role with the ASB Auckland Marathon.

The Heart Foundation is the official charity for the ASB Auckland Marathon, and Judy expertly coordinates around 150 volunteers to help at the three-day registration expo and on race day each year.

“Judy’s dedication to the Heart Foundation has been outstanding and we are so pleased to see her recognised. Volunteers like Judy are real gems for charities and events. We are fortunate to have a large number of passionate volunteers, like Judy, helping us help New Zealand,” Sargisson said.

The Heart Foundation is currently calling on existing volunteers, and anyone who would like to volunteer for the first time, to sign up for its annual Heart Week Street Appeal in February.

Heart Week is a reminder for us to love our hearts and stay healthy. It is also when the Heart Foundation asks for New Zealanders to support its work by making a donation.

During last year’s Street Appeal, more than 2000 New Zealanders volunteered their time to shake buckets and help make the campaign a huge success.

If you can spare 90 minutes on either Friday 13 or Saturday 14 February 2015, please visit www.heartfoundation.org.nz/get-involved/heart-week-2015-call-for-volunteers

About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is the charity that works to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease. It is committed to promoting heart health through funding vital research, promoting heart healthy lifestyles and advancing cardiac care.

ENDS

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