More than 90 per cent of Australian schools have participated in the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart at some stage, but only one can say it has participated every year since the program’s inception in 1983.
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This unique honour belongs to Parkes Public School, which staged its 35th “jump off” on Wednesday and all 435 students took part.
So far the school has raised $5478, with a few days of fundraising still to go.
The figure is below what’s been raised previously but school organiser Bridget Lee couldn’t be prouder of students’ efforts, this year and every year prior.
“It is an amazing milestone for the school and a fabulous program to support,” she said.
“The 'jump off’ day for Jump Rope for Heart is a day the children look forward to every year and has become part of our school culture.”
Each year, Parkes Public joins more than 300,000 students in more than 1300 schools in the event, with the help of more than 500,000 generous sponsors including families, friends and community members.
Bridget believed it is an important cause to get behind.
“As a proud school community, we care about ourselves and others,” she said.
“That’s why we’re excited to be part of Jump Rope for Heart for 2018.
“Jump Rope has been getting students of Parkes Public School active and raising funds to fight heart disease for 35 years.
“In that time a lot has changed, but Jump Rope remains as relevant as ever, because today one in four children (aged 5-17) are overweight or obese.
“Eighty per cent don’t get the daily recommended 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity and heart disease is Australia’s biggest killer.”
Schools typically run the Jump Rope program for six to eight weeks, encouraging students to get active and have fun while raising funds.
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease.
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