PYMBLE Public School students have pulled off the spectacular by spelling out a giant-size version of the Foundation’s physical activity campaign theme ‘Move More, Sit Less!’ in Sydney on Friday.
The event was organised in conjunction with the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program, of which Pymble Public School is a long-standing participant.
National Heart Foundation CEO, Mary Barry, said 650 Pymble Public School students gathered on a sporting field to form the letters of ‘Move More, Sit Less!’ as well as ‘Jump Rope for Heart.’
“To say the end result looked visually stunning is an understatement of major proportions,” Ms Barry said.
“To see our physical activity campaign theme come to life in such a striking way illustrates the importance of the campaign and the need for Australians of all ages and backgrounds to move more and sit less.
“Pymble Public School and the Jump Rope program deserve enormous credit for their efforts in organising and coordinating the event – this was no mean feat.
“The logistical challenges involved were significant, however the end result is something they, and all involved with this event, can rightly be proud of.”
The event was captured via aerial photography, with video footage and photographs to be made available to the media.
Ms Barry said Pymble Public School has a strong track record of involvement with the Jump Rope for Heart Program.
“Pymble Public School have been one of the program’s most committed schools, first taking part in 1987 and then participating every second year since 1992, a huge feat given the program’s 32 year history,” she said.
“In that time the school has raised more than $225,000, funds that have directly helped in the fight against heart disease – the leading cause of death in Australia.
“The support of schools like Pymble Public School means the life-saving work of the Heart Foundation can continue.
“As a charity, the Heart Foundation receives very little Government funding and relies almost entirely on donations from the community to fund vital research, develop guidelines for health professionals, support patient care and help Australians lead healthier lifestyles.”
Ms Barry said since the Jump Rope for Heart program started running in 1983, generous Australians have raised more than $60 million nationally to help the Heart Foundation continue its life-saving work.
“The Heart Foundation has played a pivotal role in major advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke, none of which would have been possible without Jump Rope for Heart,” she said.
Over 1,300 schools participate in Jump Rope for Heart nationally, each year. The program is designed to inspire school students to get active in a fun and exciting way. Jump Rope for Heart has been helping children and young people skip their way to fitness and health for more than 30 years in addition to helping fund the fight against heart disease.
Story & Image Credit: National Heart Foundation
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
