When I was in primary school, my family lost our little brother Alexander to congenital heart disease. His death affected me deeply for many years afterwards. When Alex was sick, Mum and Dad were supported by Heartkids, an Australian organisation that assists families with the travel and medical costs associated with caring for sick children. Heartkids is currently securing funding for a Family Coping and Community program, which will support families and bereaved parents as they move through the emotional and psychological impacts of caring for and losing children to congenital heart disease.
In November, Claire and I will be completing the Rottnest SwimRun - a 33 km course consisting of approximately 10 swim legs (total of 4.4 km) and 10 run legs (total of 28.3 kilometres) blending beach, run and trail running. I would like to dedicate the journey to supporting Heartkids as they build their Family Coping program. Alex would be a strapping 23 year old lad now, and I know he too would be crazy enough to enjoy a lap around Rotto.
Our target is a solid 5K - click on to support us! And please come on over for the race on November 16 to see our game faces in action. Peww peww!
HeartKids Australia provides support for kids with childhood heart disease as well as vital research funding in the hopes of reducing the incidence of heart disease.
Everyday 8 kids are born with childhood heart disease.
Support these kids and join the fight against childhood heart disease!
About Fundraiser
Tess Marslen
Cottesloe, WA
Mon, 30 Sep 2019
Sasha Lytas
$ 20
Mon, 23 Sep 2019
Jenna Oliver
$ 25
Great cause, go CJ!
Thu, 19 Sep 2019
Jodie de Jersey
$ 20
Good Luck Tes, sorry to hear about your loss! X
Wed, 18 Sep 2019
Fran Lee
$ 50
I'm very happy to support you and this wonderful cause. Enjoy your swim. What energy!!
Wed, 18 Sep 2019
Julie Copson
$ 20
Good Luck Tess! Great charity too
Wed, 18 Sep 2019
Lauren Frost
$ 20
Good luck, Tess! All that cross-country running we did in high school will pay off :) Clax xo
Wed, 18 Sep 2019
Fred English
$ 25
Tue, 17 Sep 2019
Georgia Drake-Brockman
$ 20
Good luck with the swim and run. Australia is very behind with its understanding of congenital heart disease, and international procedures are incredibly costly. This will help to make a difference.
Tue, 17 Sep 2019
Beth Curry
$ 50
Tue, 17 Sep 2019
Kippa Thompson
$ 20
Such a wonderful cause Tess. Good luck training. Alex would be so proud of you and your Marslen gang.
HeartKids Australia provides support for kids with childhood heart disease as well as vital research funding in the hopes of reducing the incidence of heart disease.
Everyday 8 kids are born with childhood heart disease.
Support these kids and join the fight against childhood heart disease!
Great cause, go CJ!