A chilly heart stopping event will take place from 3pm, Friday 18 May in Takutai Square. The Auckland Heart Stopper Challenge will see teams of four to six brave souls plunge into an icy spa pool for five minutes to raise money for the twelve Kiwi kids born with a heart condition every week.  

The Heart Stopper Challenge is an annual fundraising event for @Heart. This is the only organisation in New Zealand dedicated to the lifelong support of kids who have a congenital heart condition. 

Every year, 450 open-heart surgeries are performed on children in New Zealand, and some are operated on in their first days of life. During surgery, a child’s chest cavity is filled with an icy slush to slow the heart rate and metabolism, giving the surgeon a longer window of operating time. 

Form a team, register online, and come in fancy dress and have a laugh while supporting kids born with heart defects. There will be prizes for Best Team Costume, Top Fundraisers, and Team Spirit. Entry is free.  

Each team member is encouraged to raise at least $100 for @Heart’s Family Support Programme that assists families staying at the Paediatric Cardiac Ward in Auckland, as well as those at home. 

Read more about the Heart Stopper Challenge

See photos on Facebook here