Calendar donation brings comfort for kids with heart disease

11 July 2023

Funds raised from Heritage Bank’s annual calendar are helping bring comfort to children impacted by heart disease. 

Heritage recently presented a donation of over $3,215 to HeartKids, a charity which helps children with heart conditions, and their families, access important support services and equipment. 

Heritage Bank Area Branch Manager Nicole Beam said it was extremely rewarding to join with the community through the calendar to support charitable organisations like HeartKids.  

“Connecting and making positive impacts in local communities is something the team at Heritage Bank is extremely passionate about,” Ms Beam said.

“Every day in Australia, eight babies are born with a form of congenital heart disease.

“Heartkids was nominated as a beneficiary by our Helensvale Branch Manager Karen Rupapera. She experienced firsthand the amazing impact they make to families after her son, Isaiah, was born a HeartKid.

“Heartkids makes a remarkable difference as the only organisation in Australia dedicated to supporting families impacted by congenital or childhood acquired heart disease.

“They offer a wide range of support and care in hospital, for children and their families, as well as for the challenges afterwards.”

Janyne Hogan, HeartKids State Manager New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory said, “These incredible funds received to HeartKids enable us to provide ten families with essential social support and life changing connection to the HeartKids community, ensuring they do not travel their journey with CHD alone.

“As a community funded organization, we are incredibly grateful for the support of organisations like Heritage Bank as they share in our passion for connecting families in need to local services that can enrich their life.”

In a much-loved tradition that began in 1982, Heritage selects a historically significant Queensland home to feature on its printed calendar each year. Copies are made available to the public for a gold coin donation, with proceeds donated to a number of charities around southern Queensland and New South Wales. Heritage began collecting donations for the calendar in 2006 and has since distributed over $383,000 to 73 community organisations.

Learn more about Calendar House.

PHOTO (left to right): Holly Williams, Heartkids QLD State Manager; Karen Rupapera, Heritage Helensvale Branch Manager; Nicole Beam, Heritage Bank Area Branch Manager; Simone Vollbon, HeartKids QLD Support Coordinator; and Kaitlyn Gilmour, HeartKids QLD Fundraising & Events Coordinator