Valerie Adams welcomed to the Heart Stopper Challenge

Heart Kids New Zealand welcomes Valerie Adams to the Heart Stopper Challenge

Val Adams is taking part in this year’s Heart Stopper Challenge to help raise funds for Heart Kids NZ.

Every week in New Zealand an average of 12 babies are born with a congenital heart defect, a condition they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Heart Kids NZ is the only charity in New Zealand providing patients and their families with crucial support services during and after treatment.

Heart Kids NZ provides information, education, training, practical resources and support, specialised equipment such as CoaguChek Machines and MedicAlert Bracelets, camps, family matching, social support and financial assistance.

Val Adams and her team of fellow fundraisers will jump into a spa pool filled with ice water and stay in for at least five minutes to complete the challenge.

Started around ten years ago, the Heart Stopper Challenge is an annual fundraising drive by Heart Kids NZ and reflects the use of ice water to help slow a patient’s metabolism during open heart surgery. Thankfully surgery has long since moved on but the Challenge remains – can you handle five minutes in the pool?

Four-time shot put world champion, (and three time world indoor champion not to mention two-time Olympic and three-time Commonwealth champion) Valerie Adams will be challenging some of her New Zealand team to take part as well.

“It’s not my usual training regime, but anything I can do to challenge myself and take it to the next level has to be a good thing. Plus it’s for a great cause and I’m delighted to help out raising awareness and funds for Heart Kids NZ.”
Date: Friday 13th March
Time: 4pm first plunge by Valerie Adams
Place: No. 1 Queen St Café, Downtown Auckland
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